Artwork by Arthur Shilling,  Suzanne Sleeping

Arthur Shilling
Suzanne Sleeping

oil on board
signed and dated 1975 lower right
27 x 32.75 ins ( 68.6 x 83.2 cms )

Auction Estimate: $8,000.00$6,000.00 - $8,000.00

Price Realized $6,000.00
Sale date: September 16th 2015

Provenance:
Private Collection, Toronto
Literature:
Carol Podedworny, “Arthur Shilling”, exhibition catalogue, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, 1986, page 8, another portrait of the subject also painted in 1975, reproduced page 15
In 1975, Arthur Shilling reduced his frequent trips into Toronto, assuming full-time residence at his home on the Rama, Ontario reserve. Carol Podedworny writes that “coupled with this return to the reserve is Shilling's love for his people... Shilling admitted that his people where his inspiration: 'I paint because there is no other way to express the beauty of my people.'”

Share this item with your friends

Arthur Shilling
(1941 - 1986)

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.