William (Bill) John Clements (SPC 1948-49, PY1950)

We extend our sympathy to the family of Old Collegian William (Bill) John Clements (SPC 1948-49, PY1950) who passed away on 24 January 2024.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Barbara who says Bill enjoyed keeping updated with the developments of St Pat’s, especially in his later years.
Bill completed his intermediate and leaving studies at SPC. He was the bow for the SPC Fourths rowing crew, and he also received an Alliance Francaise de Victoria award in his Leaving year.

He was also interested in debating and was a winner of a Sunday evening speaker session on his topic of ‘Japan’.

Bill went on to study at the National Gallery School in Melbourne and fine art at Melbourne University.

He also studied undergraduate studies in science at Sydney University and then at the Kyoto City fine Arts University between 1964-67, becoming the first Australian sculptor to choose to study in Asia before Europe or America.

He received a Japanese Government Scholarship in 1964 and received the ANU Saionji Memorial Fellowship in 1966, followed by a bequest from the Art Gallery NSW in 1967 and various Australian Council grants in the 1970s and 1980s.

His wife Barbara said Bill is remembered for “his deep commitment to Aboriginal people and to issues of justice and peace and his writings and art are all of a piece”.

He was awarded the Transfield Art Prize in 1970 by Sir Roland Penrose, Picasso’s friend and biographer.

“So while his name is little known in Australia, it is possible that one day in the future he will be rediscovered. Such is the life of an artist!,” says Barbara.

He exhibited his works across the world, including South East Asia and India, United States, France, Argentina, Chile, Europe, Israel, Malaysia, South Africa, Scandinavia, Borneo and Nagasaki in Japan.

After some years on dialysis, Bill received a kidney in 1997 and the gift of an extended life from an unknown donor. He thanked the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney for their care over many years.

To view some of Bill’s extensive works, head to Bill’s website at this link – williamclements.com.au – which includes his sculpture, prints, photographs, drawings as well as his writings.