William (Bill) Tarr (1925–2006) was an American sculptor, painter, photographer, and magician whose multifaceted career spanned over five decades. A self-taught artist from New York City, Tarr became widely recognized for his monumental public sculptures that blend abstract expressionism with social and political themes. His most notable works include the 30-foot welded steel Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near Lincoln Center in New York City and the Gates of the Six Million, a 5,900-pound bronze sculpture at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. These powerful pieces reflect his commitment to addressing human resilience and historical remembrance through art.
Beyond sculpture, Tarr enjoyed a successful career as a magician under the stage name "The Great Tarrini" and authored several bestselling books on magic, such as Now You See It, Now You Don’t, which remains a key resource for aspiring illusionists. Tarr's work across mediums, from painting to photography, often incorporated themes of social justice, abstraction, and bold visual storytelling.
His work is included in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions, such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Hirshhorn Museum. Tarr’s legacy endures as an artist who combined creativity and activism, leaving an indelible mark on public art and visual culture.