WILLIAM 'BILLY'
RUSSELL JAMIESON
July 3, 1954 - July 3, 2011
Photo I took at the 2006 New York Tribal Art Fair. "Master of the Macabre" Bill Jamieson, Toronto Canada, standing next to a Nazca Mummy from Peru (in case). Jamieson who usually exhibits at least one shrunken head solved the problem of continuously explaining the process of "head shrinking" to visitors as he augmented distribution of pamphlets detailing the process.
On Sunday July 3rd, 2011, art enthusiasts, eccentrics, niche community
supporters and individualists alike suffered a massive loss with the untimely
death of William Jamieson; loving fiancée to Jessica Phillips, son of Barbara
Halligan, brother of Wendy, father of Jordan, and friends of the underground
elite. He was predeceased by his father Rodney and his brother Ross. Known to
his friends as Billy, he was one of the world's foremost collectors of tribal
art and ancient artifacts. He passed away in the comfort of his downtown Toronto
home in the company of his global treasures and dog Ramses. In addition to being
a highly respected dealer and collector of objects from remote and ultimately
interesting cultures around the world - particularly the South Pacific,
Indonesia, Africa, and the native peoples of the Americas - Billy was well-known
for his collection of oddities and curiosities. Reflecting his fascination with
the macabre, he will be perhaps most remembered for the real human shrunken
heads he collected from the headhunter and cannibal cultures of the South
Pacific. Billy was a truly unique individual. Kind, creative, successful,
adventurous, open- minded, non-judgmental and highly enthusiastic, he was
immediately drawn to those with equally bright lights and open hearts. He openly
shared his stories and tools for learning generously with us all and will truly
be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to cross his path. A private
service for family and close friends will be held this week. A Celebration of
Life will follow in a couple of weeks for all to attend. Details will follow
soon and will be posted on Billy's Facebook page. Rest in peace, basking in both
the stunning light and beautiful darkness of the world below you, Billy. In lieu
of flowers, donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation and CAMH.
Billy: With a HEAVY HEART, I can truly say that you will be dearly missed. Rest in peace my friend!
This is a program from Bill's memorial ceremony (courtesy of Ben Ziegler, Los Angeles)
