Georgian College and the Orillia & District Arts Council host a Visual Reconciliation on Jan. 18

Georgian College and the Orillia & District Arts Council (ODAC) have collaborated to offer a free unique visual presentation on Jan. 18 at Georgian’s Orillia Campus.

Visual Reconciliation, an ODAC project that is funded by the Canadian Council for the Arts is holding its second public presentation at the college and the public is invited to attend from 4 to 6 p.m.

An older man (Paul Shilling) with long gray hair and a beard standing in front of a colourful piece of artwork.
Lead artist, Dazaunggee (Paul Shilling)

We’re excited to invite the community to come out to see this Visual Reconciliation project. Visitors will appreciate these beautiful pieces that are included as a part of this important cultural teaching.

Dr. Mary Louise Noce, Dean, Georgian College Orillia Campus.

About the event

It presents the interpretation of the Seven Grandfather Teachings from the cultural viewpoint of four diverse artists. Lead artist, Dazaunggee (Paul Shilling), conceived this exercise to look at the similarities between cultures as well as how different peoples view the basic tenets of the traditions.

The first teaching, Bravery (Courage) was presented in November. This second presentation covers the teaching of Honesty – Gwekwaadziwin which is represented by either the Raven or the Sabe that both understand who they are and how to walk in their life. Sabe reminds us to be ourselves and not someone that we’re not. An honest person is said to walk tall like Kitchi-Sabe and like Kitchi-Sabe, Raven accepts himself and knows how to use his gift. He doesn’t seek the power, speed, or beauty of others. He uses what he has been given to survive and thrive, as we all must do. To walk through life with integrity is to know honesty, be honest with yourself, recognize and accept who you are, accept and use the gifts you have been given and to not seek to deceive yourself or others.

When we become honest with ourselves, we can begin to deal with other aspects of our lives. This presentation will look at how each of us views honesty.

– Dazaunggee, lead artist

Artists involved in the project

Dazaunggee (Paul Shilling): Paul is the youngest brother of renowned Indigenous artist, Arthur Shilling. Following his oldest brother around, Dazaunggee (Sky Buffalo) learned to put his thoughts on canvas and in poetry and has become a renowned artist in his own right. He has taken up the elder’s task of bringing spirit and culture to the forefront, emphasizing traditional arts, crafts, and philosophy as healing, and learning tools. Having gone through much of the “system” from an early age, Dazaunggee has dedicated himself to learning and transferring traditional knowledge to the youth of his band and to others willing to listen. He is the lead artist in this proposed project. Read more about Dazaunggee.

Ted Fullerton: Ted’s body of work possesses undercurrents of human emotion and mystery. Many of his explorations have dealt with themes and myths revealing his concern with spiritual and magical worlds. For Fullerton “mythic symbols are entry points to the unconscious.” Through these devices he investigates the duality of human nature, the tension between the rational and the illogical, the physical and the spiritual, the intellectual and the intuitive. “Whether he is working in oil, printmaking, sculpture, or mixed media drawing, in intimate or monumental scale, Fullerton’s creative process is spontaneous and gestural with sensuous and bold texture, line and movement.” – Mary Reid, Director/Curator, Woodstock Gallery, Ontario. Read more about Ted.

Xavier Hernandez: Xavier is a Canadian artist based in Orillia, Ontario who has been woodworking and woodturning for the last three years, producing over 250 pieces in this short time. He has been creating works of art for over 30 years, using various paints, drawing tools, digital images, graphic design, and music videos. Also working in 3D, he has done body paint, clay, stone, metal, and wood, among other media. He was involved in all three Somniatis Wearable Art Shows in Orillia, and the Call 83 Truth and Reconciliation art shows, that were on display at St. Paul’s Orillia. His work can be found at Peter Street Fine Art Gallery and Studio in Orillia’s Arts District.

Julie Chǔ Níng Tián: Julie is a self-taught Chinese Canadian artist. She was born in Northeastern China and immigrated to Toronto with her family at age seven. Julie uses art as a way of exploring her queer and Asian diasporic identity, and to share her imagery with local communities in Toronto. She works mainly with graphite, pen and ink, mixed paint, digital illustration, and embroidery. She speaks English, Mandarin, and French and has done workshops with Riverdale Hub and Asian Community AIDS Services focusing on self reflection and gratitude through artistic expression. She is on the board of an artist co-operative based in Chinatown called Tea Base.

Event details

  • Free
  • Wednesday, Jan. 18
  • 4 to 6 p.m.
  • Orillia Campus Auditorium (C112)
Black and white logo for the Orillia & District Arts Council

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