Arthur Bradford Shilling (1941 - 1986) Inducted 1989

I paint because there is no other way to express the beauty of my people." For Arthur Shilling, his love for his people, pride in his native heritage and his awakening to Ojibway spiritualism, inspired his work.

Shilling studied at the Ontario College of Art, but preferred to develop his own method of painting, rejecting traditional art forms and remaining "his own man". He developed a distinctive expressionistic style, using vivid strokes of colour to make a strong statement, to define shape and form and to express the inner life of his people. When you look at his paintings, consider the comment from a four-year old youngster who was surveying Self Portrait, when she said: "Mom, that man is looking right into me."

Arthur Shilling was born on the Rama Indian Reserve, near Orillia, in 1941. At the age of 22, his first solo exhibition took place in Orillia. Numerous exhibitions of his work have been held in Canada, New York City, Brazil, and Europe. His paintings are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Civilization, the Royal Ontario Museum, the McMichael Canadian Collection and in private collections.

Open heart surgery in the 1970's changed Shilling's perspective on life and he came home to Rama to fulfill a lifetime dream, constructing a native art gallery beside the home he shared with his wife, Amelia, and sons Bewabon and Travis. Working there, he developed his talents to become one of the greatest and most imaginative Canadian artists of our time. The National Film Board recognized this in its award-winning documentary about Shilling, The Beauty of My People. It is most unfortunate he did not live to see published the book he had been commissioned to write, The Ojibway Dream, that was released after his death in 1986. We end with his own prophetic words; "My pillow is a burning log. You could rake coals over my body. Death will not put this fire out."