Nick Supina III: Dark Pages

Dark Pages (2013)
by: Nick Supina III

Nick's latest painting features eugenics survivor Leilani Muir. The small black page on Leilani's chest is like that of an indelible mark. It was the first page. It was the page from which she became a "defective" marked for sterilization; it was the page that spawned the next page, a page depriving defectives from the right to adopt a child, even a young, vibrant and capable woman like Leilani. In confronting the Alberta government, the courts revealed many more dark pages that became a paper trail to a very dark place. The papers are dark with a layer of interference red symbolizing the evil. The blue and green areas are covered with interference colours that correspond with their conventional colours.

Painting again!

Nick has begun painting again in recent months  -- an exciting development for sure! Please watch this blog to see more fine art from Nick Supina III.

In the Face of a Precipice by Nick Supina III

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