NIC NOTION (American, b. 1983) is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in Highland Park, Michigan. He has been involved in Detroit's Music and Art scenes for two decades. As an Artist and Curator, he has worked with many artists - locally and worldwide. His methods include using putty knives and layers of paint to create distinct textures which expose the tension and contrast within his ever-changing environment. These details, containing themes of optimism, nature and God are expressed in his abstract paintings. He blends elements of Fine Art and Anthropology to shine light on the conjunction between beauty and decay. He is now studying Anthropology at Wayne State University.

Nic Notion has shown his work in Detroit, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and London UK.

I am an artist who focuses on abstract landscapes of nature consuming residential and industrial structures. Recently I began to tie dye my canvas before painting. Ever since childhood I have had a passion for art. Visiting cities like San Francisco, Oakland, New York, and Detroit, I fell in love with American architecture and the diversity of building materials: brick, marble, bronze, and gold. The shapes of the buildings and their interaction with natural elements such as air, fire, and water, all serve as major aesthetic inspirations to my art. My love for art is paired with my love for Mother Nature and her dynamic power. I aim to capture some of that power in my art; An ongoing dance between nature and man, particularly man-made structures. My aim is not to paint something out of a disaster movie, but to create dynamic and majestic imagery deeply rooted in city life. My task is to excite the viewer with new methods and processes that are unorthodox and inspiring. I primarily use raw canvas, purchased by the yard. This allows me to get much more canvas to work with than if I were to buy pre-stretched canvases. Buying the canvas by the yard also gives me opportunity to tie dye the canvas in a way one would tie dye a shirt. I employ folding and rolling techniques to the canvas before dying the canvas. Once the canvas is dry I then stretch the canvas on stretcher bar frames. I then apply paint with several sizes of putty knives. I use white and black gesso and high gloss enamel almost exclusively in order to keep my paintings cohesive with each other. My studies of Anthropology at Wayne State University and my lifelong interest in spirituality has had a profound influence on the themes in my art. Charles McGee and Tyree Guyton are two artists that have influenced the way I approach my art and through that I've learned to be fearless and to challenge misconceptions and status quo.

My art resides in the contradiction between grit and beauty found in the streets of Detroit; A city of extremes and vital American history. I am aesthetically inspired by the city’s architecture and abandoned elements. My life in the city, and everyday interactions with the people of Detroit, has given powerful breath to my work. I apply layers of paint to create distinct textures, exposing the tension and contrast within my ever-changing environment. My work is meant to impact and inspire young people to appreciate their environment, this includes architecture and people. By appreciating their environment, they will be empowered to preserve nature and celebrate their community. While working at Detroit's Boll YMCA, teaching video production and Art techniques to middle and high school students, I began to understand the importance of community and our youth. This experience taught me the importance of youth empowerment. Art and its many techniques are amazing ways to positively impact the future of our communities. As a printer of digital art at an international print company, I was able to exchange ideas and perspectives with some of Detroit's leading Artists. We discussed the best ways to transform original art works into multiples and other particulars such as sizes, colors and paper types. This time in my life was very impactful because I was working and living on the same street in Eastern Market. My bond with my neighborhood and the community of Eastern Market was inevitably damaged when the majority of the buildings were sold, creating mass evictions and artist displacement. I purchase a house in Highland Park, Michigan. The house was built in 1911 to house executives of the newly successful Ford Motor Company, based in Highland Park. I am inspired by homes in my community representing the early days of middle class America. My family moved to this part of the country nearly 100 years ago to work in factories and construction. Living in Highland Park in a historic antique house in my family's neighborhood has created a new community connection for me. I have uncles, cousins and family friends that live in my neighborhood. Much of the art that I make comes from these interactions and connections. Turning my house into a gallery/museum is my next approach at community impact that will further affect lives in a positive way.

CV

NIC NOTION

Born in Gilroy, California,1983.
Lives and works in Highland Park, Michigan.

Education:
2023 - Present : Anthropology, Wayne State University

2001 - 2005 Broadcast Communication, Wayne State University

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
‘We see ourselves in our city flag’ : Supino Pizzeria, Eastern Market, Detroit, 2021

‘Detroit Houses Harder’ : 2948 Woodward Ave, Detroit, 2019

‘Good Amerixan’ : 1440 Gratiot, Detroit, 2018

‘Amerixan Notion’ : Playground Detroit Gallery, Detroit, 2018

‘NNII’, Stairwell Gallery : Detroit, 2016

‘Etiquette’ : Fort Street Warehouse, Detroit 2015

‘Showcase’ : Kit and Ace, Detroit, 2015

‘Blah,Blah,Blah” : Boll YMCA, Detroit, 2013

Selected Group Exhibitions:
‘Into Action’ : Chicago, 2024
‘Glimmery’ : Sav-a-lot, Detroit, Curator, 2023
‘I, too, am Detroit’ : N’Namdi Center for Contemporary art, 2019

‘Group show’ : Playground Detroit Gallery, Detroit, 2017

MOCAD Gala : Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 2017

‘Detroit Grind : Rush Arts, Chelsea, New York, 2017

‘Detroit’ : Film Premier and Promotional Mural, Detroit, 2017

‘The Detroiter’ : Heron Arts, San Francisco, 2016

‘Murals in the Market’ : Eastern Market, Detroit, 2016

Gallery Experience:
Unfolding Creative : Printer and quality control, Ferndale, 2018 - 2025

N’Namdi Gallery : Art Handling, Lighting, Special Events, Detroit, 2020 - 2025

Museum of Contemporary Art : Artist Assistant to Tyree Guyton, Detroit, 2018

1xRun / Interstate Gallery : Master Printer, Art Handling, Detroit, 2012 - 2018

Boll YMCA : Youth Art Teacher, Detroit, 2010 - 2013