Arthur Shilling and his Portrait Paintings

By: M.D. Nuruzzaman

 

The Art Gallery of Windsor is presenting Arthur Shilling, Leah Modigliani and Hind vs Hind for the exhibition in 2018.

These three art exhibitions had their opening reception on Friday Feb. 16. The Final Works profiles the late Ojibwe artist Arthur Shilling and the works he produced during the last decade of his life, 1976-1986. During this time Shilling produced powerful portraits reflecting contemporary identity politics within indigenous culture. Shilling was born in 1941 on the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Reserve, Ontario and paints with in an expressionistic style.

Elder Mona Stonefish, currently an AGW consultant, said in her opening speech at the reception,” We are all privileged to have such a showing as Arthur showing.”

Jaclyn Meloch, a contemporary art curator, said, “We at the Art Gallery of Windsor are thrilled to share these very important paintings and portraits.”

Meloch said the painter also depicted the challenges of the marginalization of indigenous people in this country.

Art curator William Kingfisher said in his opening speech, “These works are really important today.”

Kingfisher also mentioned Shilling was a non-compromising painter who wanted to show strong, beautiful and complex people.

Curator Kingfisher chose to display 27 canvases which depict the artist’s thoughts, expressions and his representation of his people. There is a 30 feet long mural titled the beauty of my people .

The exhibition will remain open until May 13, 2018 from 11a.m.to 5p.m.Wednesday to Sunday. For further information please visit www.agw.ca.