an angel or just a prairie wind

an angel or just a prairie wind
26"x36"

Growing up in a small Alberta town this boy is never very far from the waves of prairie grass blowing in the wind. If you listen closely, the wind is like the muted chorus of angels. This painting depicts just one of the angels, leaning in, whose protection envelopes this cognitively disabled boy.

purchase inquires:
nick3paint@gmail.com

Portrait and Perception

Portrait & Perception (The Eugenics Dimension) 2005
University of Alberta Art Collection

Description:
Lielani Muir stands in the foreground casting a large shadow on the administration building at the Michener Centre, also known as the Provincial Training School (PTS).  At her feet are the disembodied heads of John Brownlee, Emily Murphy, William Aberhart and Ernest Manning who were all active proponents of the Alberta Eugenic Program. As premier, John Brownlee signed the first Alberta Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta in 1928. Emily Murphy, though she was purportedly an emancipator of Canadian women, served as a catalyst in causing the repression of female children through this program. William Aberhart and Ernest Manning, both premiers with pseudo-Christian ideologies, strengthened the Eugenics Program throughout their political careers. A demonic figure embraces Aberhart and Manning, alluding to their blatant hypocrisy. The ghostly car represents how Leilani, like scores of other children, were discarded at the institute by their own parents or guardians. As “trainees,” they were brought before the Eugenics Board and recommended for sexual sterilization at this site. The cloud hovering over the building symbolizes the judgement that hangs over the whole program, reminding us to be aware of its skewed philosophies.












Character Assassination

The hand represents the perception of others: the boy's character deficiencies have negative influence on his scholastic and social potential. Therefore the gesture of the hand is accusatory. His gun represents that this perception of others has been internalized.


Inquiries: nick3paint@gmail.com

Brave Smile

Brave Smile
20"x40"

In days gone by, when inability to conform to academic standards was perceived as wilful belligerence, the perceived remedy from educators was verbal and physical abuse. Today, although there are many excellent special needs teachers, still too often, children still fall through the cracks.

Inquiries: nick3paint@gmail.com

human marionette

human marionette
24 x 40
acrylic on canvas

The bully is asserting his power over the girl by forcing her to pretend that she is his puppet. The expression on her face clearly demonstrates her resignation to her plight.

private collection

Tender Tears

tender tears
34"x52"

Those who mocked Jesus on the cross by saying “If you are the Messiah, why don’t you save yourself.” are the very kind of people who mock the cognitively disabled by saying “If you would only start applying yourself, you wouldn’t be in the mess you are in!”

Inquiries: nick3paint@gmail.com

Paper Thin

paper thin
30" x 42"
acrylic on canvas

Empathy is paper thin in this teenage boy's life. You will notice that this teenager is surrounded by the colour red. In this case, red represents the never ending struggle that comes with dealing with a cognitive disability. The only stabilizing factors are a handful of loving people in his life and a belief in God’s presence amidst his suffering. His belief seems so ethereal it is as thin as his drawing of an angel floating aimlessly in the wind.

Purchase inquiries: nick3paint@gmail.com

The intercession, a rescue from the deluded

The intercession, a rescue from the deluded
acrylic on canvas
38" X 52"
Designated Painting

Warm and real, the vivified child ascends through streams of liberating fire and light blown by the breath of God. Below, deluded phantoms obliviously drift towards hell, grey and empty pontificating ghosts deliberating lofty dissertations as to their great accomplishments, all founded on merciless indifference.

The rising radiant child is actually Judy, a victim of Alberta's eugenics program. The descending dead are the provincial leaders responsible for Alberta's eugenics program, which was based on the same ideology that inspired the eugenics program of Nazi Germany. They are Premier Earnest C. Manning, Premier William Aberhart, Emily Murphy and Premier John E. Brownlee.