Sneak peek.

A new work is in progress at Nick's studio. Here's a sneak peek. We'll post a photo of the finished painting and its description soon. Stay tuned!

Epiphany from Heaven

 Epiphany from Heaven

2015

52"x36.5"

Often the demands and constraints within the structured educational environment causes undue pressure to students with cognitive disabilities. The grey void surrounding this teen represents the feeling that she is currently experiencing: that she is floundering. The tablet which is usually a source of escapism suddenly becomes the source of inspiration; symbolized by the wing that cradles her and the thin strand of light that connects the wing to to the tablet. Sometimes learning comes through personal discovery as apposed to the dictates of a structured curriculum.

Artist at work

A glimpse of Nick creating in his art studio ...

Listening to his favourite sound tracks, Nick begins painting
"Machine of Knowledge"

Applying undercoat layer of paint

Nick presented "Machine of Knowledge" and "Dark Pages"
at Difference & Diversity on October 22

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