William Cochran is an American artist, sculptor, and visionary. He creates works of art using paint, stone, steel, bronze and glass. He and his wife, Teresa often work together in the creative process of his designs. He also works with community leaders to accomplish projects that help to unite neighborhoods and bring new life to the area. One such project was the “Community Bridge” of Frederick, MD., where he used the creative power of people of all ages and walks of life to transform a concrete bridge into a work of art. What started out as a project to beautify and correct a flood prone area in the town of Frederick ended up touching the lives of people all around the world and drawing a once divided community together. The project seemed to take on a life of its own and is now brings people to a once abandon side of town.
Taking on social issues is a theme of Cochran’s work. To the right is a photo of “Pillar of Fire”, a 2000 pound glass sculpture that pays tribute to the AIDS healthcare workers in Washington DC, during the early 1980. In the early years of the AIDS-HIV pandemic, little was known about the disease. These dedicated healthcare workers gave compassionate care to those afflicted with the virus. The workers faced opposition and almost no funding as they worked tirelessly to help those who’s very life were at stake. Pillar of Fire is lit from inside and well as out to symbolize the pillar of fire at night and a pillar of smoke by day that led the Hebrew children through the desert to the promised land. It is a symbol of hope to those afflicted with the AIDS virus and a tribute to those who cared for them when others turned their backs.
One of William Cochran’s best known works is that of the Community Bridge in Frederick MD. He used the trompe l’oeil (French for fool the eye) technique to turn a plain concrete bridge into an old stone bridge complete with statues and ivy. Unless the observer looks closely they will never know they have been fooled. The city still gets complaints from the concerned public about trimming back the ivy that is overtaking the piece of art. Below is the video of the “building” of a community through art.
Cochran is one of a few artists living today to use the Renaissance technique of anamorphic projection, which creates an illusion of depth when viewed from certain angles. The perspective changes from the viewer’s vantage point; this technique was used in the painting of the archangel on the side of the bridge. When the viewer is on the bridge looking over, the angel appears to be leaning out of the bridge and watching over the community. His artwork has helped the city of Frederick win the Great American Main Street Award in 2005 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Below are photos of three of the best known paintings on the Community Bridge.
The Caiedral represents the Samaritan woman at the well and it speaks of how no one should be looked down upon because of the ethnicity. She was selected to become part of the bridge painting to make the statement that the bridge was for all people regardless of which “side of the bridge” they found themselves.
The Hidden Door, is another popular image on The Community Bridge. The viewer must go up to the painted gate and look “inside” through the ironwork to see the hidden door. This part of the bridge is another area that has hidden symbols. The city of Frederick often gets complaints by the public that something needs to be done about the ivy that is taking over the bridge, but it is doubtful the hand painted ivy will grow any larger.
The Archangel, is probably the best known work on the bridge. Cochran used the Renaissance technique of anamorphic projection. Standing at the base of the bridge, the angel looks mis-shaped. The observer has to stand on top of the bridge and look over to see the true image. When seen from the correct angle, the angel appears to be leaning out of the bridge and looking at the viewer.
Below are some of the awards and honors bestowed on William Cochran:
Award for Excellence, National Glass Association
Core Values Award, International Association of Public Participation.
International exhibit, architectural art glass, University of Mexico in 2007.
Public art consultant and design team artist for National Endowment for the Arts Mayor’s Institute of City Design grant for City of Rochester.
Project of the Year Award, American Public Works Association.
Identified in a recent art history textbook as significant figure in public art in North America.
Great American Main Street Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2005 – Frederick, Maryland
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