Artist right at home amid the Wild West
The rest is kept in his house as an implicit Wild West collection of not only his works, but the works of other artists. His accumulations include props from the Kevin Costner film, "Dances With Wolves," clothes, saddles and treasures that date between 1880-90.
It's his home, so don't call it a museum, Gililland said. Rather, he draws his inspiration from that period. American Indian music wafts throughout the house, providing an atmosphere perfect for re-creating the Old West. Decked out in self-made leathers, he attends mountain man rendezvous in Utah and Wyoming.
Statues, including a full-size horse with an American Indian astride, stand in his living room. Stuffed animals, animal-skin rugs and early 20th century gas pumps — in mint condition — have a home there. But mostly it's the American West.
While the art he creates is one-of-a-kind, Gililland does virtually no marketing, yet has tapped into the niche of the rich and famous of the film industry. Some of his pieces have been used in movies made in Utah, he says, while movie stars have slipped in and out to purchase an unusual metal lamp or other work.
Some of his pieces were once sold through a local department store, but he pulled them when his wealthy customers didn't like the image of "their" one-of-a-kind artist selling in a retail store. In the art community he goes by Indio.
Gililland's wall hangings on display at the Peteetneet include a buffalo, a rifle, an American Eagle, boots and a six-gun and other icons of the Old West. He included one dedicated to the massacre at Wounded Knee.
Other metal wall hangings include a stagecoach, cattle roundup, Pony Express, Indian lore and a stubborn mule. A standing sculpture titled "Goin' Home" depicts a mule train, once popular in the Old West. Gililland has perfected an acid dye that turns the raw, crafted metal into colorful art.
Even if he uses the same pattern over and over, each piece is unique.
Originally from Ohio and once a U.S. Navy medic, Gililland came to Utah in 1986 to open up West Coast distribution for what is now Nestle's Prepared Foods in Springville. When the job was done, Gililland stayed.
"I fell in love with Utah," he said.
To earn a living he turned to creating art objects, particularly Old West lamps and chandeliers. Many of his lamps hang in Park City and Sundance homes.
The Old West genre has become his comfort zone.
"I swear I've lived there," he said.
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com
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