Portrait, 1983 by Arthur Shilling

The work of painter and draughtsman Arthur Shilling is distinguished for flowering during the resurgence of First Nations artistic activity in the 1960s, yet employing none of the newly-flourishing styles. Instead, Shilling melded European influences into a unique expression of his Ojibwa worldview which would become increasingly important after he reached a personal turning point in 1980. Shilling was a natural colourist and continual experimenter, whose representational works - often portraits - were rendered with a vivid characteristic palette and later in formats which would transcend European conventions (i.e. multiple figures, totem formats). Shilling attended the New School of Art and the Ontario College of Art and in 1967, was presented with the Canadian Centennial Medal.