The Stiles Collection
The Artist William Elliott Stiles Jr. graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2006. His Concept Collection is on display in the Second Floor Gallery of Hirsch Hall. Stiles, who specializes in commercial vehicle litigation in Atlanta, began painting while in high school and has said that this creative activity was a much needed stress reliever during his time as a law student. While studying in Athens, he created and donated what would become his first piece in the school's collection titled "The Common Law." This painting reflects relevant case law, theories, ideas and history examined during his first semester as a law student.
The Common Law, 2004 76 x 92 cm, oil on canvas Alton Hosch Law Library Annex, Second Floor
The Concept Collection The images in the Concept Collection are “firmly rooted in the practice of law with excerpts of U.S. Supreme Court opinions in the background.” Stiles began this body of work after experiencing a significant health scare in 2015. While recovering, law school classmates and former professors encouraged him to return to this creative outlet. Stiles said his law school family “helped to restore his confidence” and rediscover this stress reliever. Two new pieces were added to the collection in February 2021.
List of Works 1961 Madam Vice President American Presidents The Law Oak Athens Circa 1859 The Golden Rule Argument Poll Tax Loving vs. Virginia A Brief History of UGA Law UGA Outliers Plessy vs. Ferguson Arms Special Field Orders, No. 15 Interpretations from the artist can be found on the following pages. All items in the Concept Collection are located in the Second Floor Gallery of the School of Law's Hirsch Hall.
1961, 2021 101 x 76 cm, oil on canvas
Properly depicting the historic event of the desegregation of the University of Georgia and the Georgia public school system is a tall task. In my attempt to do so, I emphasize the year, “1961” and incorporate images from the desegregation and protests in the numbers “9” and “6.” Likewise, images of the student body and others marching in protest to Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter are incorporated into the university Arch, which is also the central element of the painting. These images are coupled with newspaper articles from the Red and Black, and Judge William Bootle’s January 6, 1961, Order forcing the admission of Hunter and Holmes into UGA. In summation, the year “1961” is transitioning (walking) through the Arch. The other key elements of the painting highlight the following important facts: 1. The 400 Faculty Petition 2. 167 years of Segregation 3. The statement “No Not One” 4. The 7000 white students and 2 black students (symbolized by white and black dots) 5. Turner High School 6. A Strong Foundation 7. Love > Fear 8. The Mary Frances Early School of Education
Madam Vice President, 2021 31 x 122 cm, oil on canvas
Madam Vice President like American Presidents is a very simplistic painting. Despite its simple form, it marks a VERY important event in American history, marking our first female Vice President (who is also a lawyer). A closer look reveals the time line detailing the following events in Kamala Harris’ life and the vice president at the time of said events: 1. VP 26 – AKA Formation 2. VP 36 – Kamala’s Birthday 3. VP 40 – Graduation from Howard University 4. VP 41 – Graduation from law school 5. VP 49 – The 1st female vice president
American Presidents, 2018 31 x 122 cm, oil on canvas
American Presidents by far is my most simplistic painting, but without question it has presented as my most popular creation. And given its simplicity, it is the only painting for which I have obtained formal copyright protections. Despite its simple form, its meaning is often missed by adults, yet quickly identified by children, as they count the 44 markers, I have sold over 150 original reproductions of this painting. Each reproduction, this one included, qualifies as duplicate original as each is hand painted and bears different news paper articles. The one before you is the sole American President duplicate original with the election day newspaper of the Athens Banner-Herald.
The Law Oak, 2018 72 x 56 cm, oil on canvas
This represents the actual oak tree outside Hirsch Hall. This piece was inspired by a UGA School of Law letter I received with a picture of the oak and the motto: “Prepare. Connect. Lead.” The oak itself symbolizes our legal studies rooted both in the grounds of North Campus and the history and principles of the University of Georgia School of Law. The red leaves of the Law Oak are the fruit of the tree, bearing the titles and positions of UGA School of Law graduates from partner to professor.
Athens Circa 1859, 2018 92 x 61 cm, oil on canvas The University of Georgia was founded on January 27, 1785. The Arch (and its pillars of Wisdom, Justice & Moderation) which represents both the past and future; the piece's foundation. The Scales of Justice symbolize the UGA School of Law founded in 1859. The nexus between the foundational Arch and UGA School of Law are their respective principles: Moderation and Prepare – preparation to be moderate Justice and Connect – connection to truth and justice Wisdom and Lead – leadership founded in wisdom
The Golden Rule Argument, 2018 77 x 61 cm, oil on canvas The Golden Rule is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). This is a common principle taught to children in all communities across the world. This rule is symbolized by the plant with golden leaves. Despite this teaching, the Golden Rule is expressly disfavored in trial practice. “Any argument regardless of nomenclature, which importunes the jury to place itself in the position of the victim must be carefully scrutinized.” McClain v. State, 267 Ga. 378 (1996).
Poll Tax, 2018 77 x 61 cm, oil on canvas
An artistic reproduction of a Poll Tax Receipt. In the background is a copy of an actual poll tax receipt from 1949. The citation, 42 USC 1973 is to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Loving vs. Virginia, 2018 77 x 61 cm, oil on canvas
The title of this painting alone signifies its meaning and importance. Loving vs. Virginia is the landmark 1967 civil rights decision striking down all state laws banning interracial marriage. Given the underlying facts of this case, what better way to present it, other than a BLACK and WHITE family tree.
A Brief History of UGA Law, 2018 102 x 77 cm, oil on canvas
As its title suggests, the signature piece of this collection attempts to provide a historical accounting of the University of Georgia School of Law. A complete accounting of this topic would require far more painting and time. May it please the Court, a Brief History of UGA Law: Justitia – The law school moto stands firm as the center piece of this work. The statue of Justitia itself, stands on a Pilar which pays tribute to UGA School of Law cornerstones from the Leadership Circles to Professor Peter Appel and Professor Larry Blount. Legal Mathematics – In the background of Justitia are a brief set of Greater Than/Less Than equations which speak to concepts both old and new: being a Light is > Likes the Pen is > the Sword a Living < a Life Truth > Lies Life > $$$ Love > Hate The Justice League – A brief accounting of UGA School of Law graduates who are now Judges from Justice Robert Benham and Justice Harold Melton, to Judge Richard Story and the most recent appointees of Sheridan, Carter, and Tamika Reeves. The Law Oak – Which is examined and expressed in its own individual painting. Section T – In honor of Professor Perry Sentell’s last year as the "Professor of Torts". This expression also captures a key element of Legal Research & Writing. DGD – Or "Damn Good Dawg" to acknowledge our graduate and trial lawyer Sonny Seiler of Savannah, Georgia, who owns the line of “UGA” canines. Love – Simply put, this is more than a love for UGA football. But for, meeting within the walls of Hirsch Hall, numerous friendships and relationships would not have been forged and countless new lives not created. PROFs – This is yet another brief accounting of the remarkable minds whom provide the educational foundation at Georgia Law. The signature elements here are our very own Dean Bo Rutledge whose mind is “like a flower in bloom” and the notation of Kellie Casey’s Angels and a simple snapshot of the mounting Advocacy awards earned under her leadership. The Arch and the pillars of Wisdom, Justice and Moderation. Hills & Valleys – At the base of this painting is a simple line of varying highs and lows. This is a reflection of both law school and life itself. To be sure, the friendships and relationships you CAN develop at the UGA School of Law will be strong and essential in overcoming any challenge you face in life. It is my sincere hope that said opportunity is not missed.
UGA Outliers, 2018 92 x 61 cm, oil on canvas This painting is premised on the Malcolm Gladwell book Outliers: The Story of Success and the concept that it takes 10,000 hours conducting an activity to become an expert. The circles or markers in the painting represent individuals. The grouping at the bottom of the painting is the large baseline collection of individuals. Those markers at the top of the painting, represent Outliers. To be sure, there are many Outliers teaching us and amongst us. Several of these individuals are notated by their initials on outlying markers.
Plessy vs. Ferguson, 2018 102 x 77 cm, oil on canvas
The concept I attempt to highlight in this painting is the doctrine of “Separate but Equal." Therefore, this painting is presented on two separate canvases bearing the name of the subject 1896 Supreme Court decision. While the separate canvases themselves are presented in the same colors and styles, there are several differences in regards to substantive materials used in creating this piece including: 1) time 2) amount of paint 3) photographs 4) mixed media material
Arms, 2018 92 x 61 cm, oil on canvas United States v. Miller, 307 U.S. 174 (1939), was a Supreme Court case that involved a Second Amendment challenge to the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA).
Special Field Orders, No. 15, 2018 61 x 122 cm, oil on canvas
Special Field Orders, No. 15 (series 1865) were military orders issued on January 16, 1865, by General William T. Sherman. They provided for the confiscation of 400,000 acres of land along the Atlantic coast of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida and the dividing of it into parcels of not more than 40 acres on which were to be settled approximately 18,000 formerly enslaved families and other Blacks then living in the area. They were revoked in the fall of that same year by President Andrew Johnson. Although mules are not mentioned in the orders, they were a main source for the expression "forty acres and a mule."
Explore the Stiles Collection Digital Exhibit in our repository
The works of art featured here are a part of the Alexander Campbell King Law Library archives and special collections. For more information, visit the repository online at digitalcommons.law.uga.edu.