Arthur was born in the Sherbourg Aboriginal settlement, south east Queensland, and is a descendant of the Wakka Wakka tribe. One of 14 children, Arthur trained as a teacher and for several years taught Aboriginal art to children from pre-school age to high school level. As a child, Arthur acquired an interest in art and his many skills through stories and traditions passed to him from his uncles. All of his designs depict the motifs and symbols of hunting. His inspiration comes from the native fauna of the Kabi-Kabi region in Queensland. His designs are featured on fabric, T-shirts and canvasses. Using water based paint and ochre colours, Arthur creates scenes of ceremony, the hunt and celebration, all male activities.