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“Study for Supernatural Eagle Bringing the Sun Back to the World

Artist

Joel Good ts’usqinuxun

Year

2018

his artwork is a study for the large sculptural carving Supernatural Eagle Bringing the Sun Back to the World that is installed on the front of Nanaimo Art Gallery. This sculpture was made by father-son team Dr. William Good ts’usqinuxun and Joel Good ts’usqinuxun from the hereditary chief family of the Snuneymuxw nation, and was commissioned and installed in fall 2018. The nine-foot wide carving is based on a Snuneymuxw origin story as told by Willam Good that can be read on the plaque on the front of the building. William and Joel also spoke of the Supernatural Eagle as the messenger between heaven and earth who guides us as we pass into the afterlife.  
We are exhibiting this study in Notes From the Collection in tribute to Joel Good ts’usqinuxun who passed away suddenly on August 28, 2024. Artist’s studies are unique in that when we see them we get a glimpse of the energy that goes into the artistic process. Joel lived that process. He was born an artist, and carried his creative spirit into all aspects of his life. This Supernatural Eagle is but a part of Joel’s immense contribution to the cultural landscape of this community. We are grateful to have known Joel and his art, and are honored to be stewards of his beautiful work, and to carry memories of him into the future.  
Notes from the Collection is an ongoing project that activates and shares the Gallery’s permanent collection by pairing a single artwork with each exhibition as a point of reflection. Study for Supernatural Eagle Bringing the Sun Back to the World  was chosen to accompany the exhibition shnu’a’th, ᐊᑳᒥᕽ akâmihk, the other side.





Full Image Credit: Joel Good ts’usqinuxun
Study for Supernatural Eagle Bringing the Sun Back to the World
Acrylic on paper

2018
Collection of Nanaimo Art Gallery
Developed in collaboration with Dr. William Good ts’usqinuxun

Photography: Sean Fenzl

A central figure is framed by four rays and four smaller faces

ćuý'ulhnamut

ćuý’ulhnamut

Nanaimo Art Gallery is situated in the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Snuneymuxw First Nations, and we are grateful to operate on Snuneymuxw territory.

ćuý'ulhnamut

ćuý'ulhnamut

Nanaimo Art Gallery is situated in the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Snuneymuxw First Nations, and we are grateful to operate on Snuneymuxw territory.