Activism Through Art
Holocaust Encaustic Artwork Series
Art is more than a creative practice for me—it is a way to bear witness. My activism series continues a long tradition of artists responding to injustice and historical trauma, using encaustic and mixed-media painting to explore themes of remembrance, compassion, and moral awareness. These works reflect subjects such as the suffering of children during the Holocaust and the lasting impact of the Residential School system, created with deep respect and a commitment to preserving memory.
As a survivor of severe childhood abuse, I bring a personal sensitivity to these stories, seeking to honor those whose experiences have been overlooked or denied. This series operates as a not-for-profit initiative, with proceeds supporting organizations tied to each subject, from Holocaust education to Indigenous healing and cultural restoration. Each piece is intended not only as an artwork, but as an act of remembrance and solidarity—inviting viewers to participate in the shared responsibility to acknowledge truth, preserve memory, and support affected communities.
A Personal Reflection from the Artist
My commitment to these subjects is deeply personal. As a survivor, I bring compassion for those whose suffering has been overlooked or silenced. Influenced by voices like Dr. Edith Eva Eger, Gabor Maté, and Dr. Viktor Frankl, my work explores the tension between tragedy and hope—often transforming stark imagery into something warmer and more alive through color and texture. I aim to awaken empathy and awareness, inviting viewers to engage with these histories on a deeper level. Ultimately, my work is about acknowledgment, healing, and the belief that even in darkness, light and hope can emerge—encouraging a more compassionate world where children are protected and valued.
Holocaust Remembrance Series
Mixed Media Assemblages
Residential School Legacy Series
The Orange Cross Project
In these images, students and community participants place written prayers, reflections, and messages of remembrance onto a large orange cross created as part of Suzanne Ouimet-Fernandez’s art and teaching practice. The orange cross has emerged as a symbol of remembrance for Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in residential schools. Through this participatory artwork, students were invited to reflect on the importance of memory, compassion, and reconciliation.
Exhibition and Community Reflection
These images document an exhibition of the Residential School Legacy Series presented on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The exhibition brought together artwork, reflection, and community participation to acknowledge this history and to encourage continued dialogue about remembrance and reconciliation.
Local Pieces Art Gallery National Day forTruth & Reconcilliation Exhibition - Furgus, Ontario
Artist Statement
Suzanne Ouimet-Fernandez
Local Pieces Gallery, Fergus, Ontario – September 2025
"This exhibition, created for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reflects my personal connection to intergenerational trauma and my deep compassion for Indigenous children and families affected by separation and loss. Featuring both my work and pieces by my husband, Tomás J. Fernández, it explores themes of remembrance, justice, and healing. Through symbolic multimedia, the central cradle-board piece and surrounding works invite reflection on historical wounds while holding space for hope, reconciliation, and renewal."
Bondi Beach
Under the Same Blue Sky
It was a glorious day.
The sun shone brightly beneath a perfect blue sky. I was so absorbed in painting that I scarcely noticed the clouds drifting overhead. My heart was fixed upon the next canvas in my series—a response to the tragedy at Bondi Beach.
I imagine it must have been just such a day.
A day where sunlight danced upon the sea.
Where strangers smiled warmly to one another.
Where little children waited with eager anticipation as colourful paint glided across their faces like silk. One became a kitten, another a lion. One dreamed of being Spider-Man, another Tinker Bell and Peter Pan. Tiny hands gathered seashells while others built magnificent sandcastles, their moats quickly filling with sparkling seawater. Sandy walls were adorned with precious stones, shells, fragments of coral, and the delicate beauty of starfish.
Grandparents laughed as they scattered crumbs to the seagulls, who lifted into the air like wandering pilgrims, crying and dancing along the water's edge.
Then the gunshots shattered the morning.
The birds rose higher.
Gentil voices now gave way to screams out loud.
The wounded were gathered into the trembling arms of those who loved them, while fear swept across their faces as the beach scene turned on them like a violent tide. People ran in every direction, instinctively searching for safety beneath the very sky that only moments before had seemed to warm their souls
A sanctuary of beauty was broken in an instant.
Though I stand far away, beneath another blue sky, I carry this sorrow within my own heart. Today's paintings carried me beyond the boundaries of my imagination. I found myself among the thousands who entered the sea upon their surfboards—an exodus of compassion flowing together out to sea. Aiming to join, knit together in an outpouring of love. Beautiful colors wrestled with the sea.
It was more than a gathering.
It became a living prayer.
A great circle of many colours floted upon the deep blue sea. A large heart formed from countless hearts.
#traumainformedcare
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbZmbJqOMny/?igsh=OTdpOTZ5YWdlNzFl
Art for Africa
The Large Circle represents the world. The focus is on the continent of Africa. The bottom part of Canada land mass the ocean. The children painted the ocean blue, and the landmass was painted with two tones of green and olive yellow-green. This all happened when I oversaw running an art camp for a week at Rafiki in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This is a center that caters to immigrants who mostly come from all over Africa. The idea behind this project, which took two days to complete, was to create a prophetic artwork that sends love and prayers from Canada. Under my instruction, the entire project was created by young African children who, while working on the artwork, glued flowers all over the land of Africa and Canada. While they worked, they sang songs about Jesus' Prophetic acts of worship that proclaim His triumphant return. The flowers represent the beauty of the Lord and his fragrance. Waving our little Canadian flags represents that we are sending our love and prayers to the African people, especially the people in Nigeria. My prayer was for healing, protection, and restoration, and that God would send revival. And pour out His Spirit.
On the Canadian flag is a Canadian Maple leaf, which refers to leaves for the healing of the nation’s we find in the book of Revelation 22:2. It describes the Tree of Life standing beside the river in the New Jerusalem, providing continuous fruit and medicinal leaves that bring ultimate restoration and peace to all people. Both separate songs were about Jesus in a native African tongue.
Project #2 Graffiti Wall Mural
Finally, the long 30-foot Art Piece is called Graffiti Art. This installation took about 4 days of working on it. All the children had a hand in making any kind of mark-making using paint, markers, and crayons. Gluing paper images of angels and collaged them; we glued gems, glitter, wool, flowers, buttons, popsicle sticks, colorful wooden beads, and feathers. There were messages of love, hope, and faith. The beauty of the Lord is that he may be glorified.
From Canada to Africa, we bless you with healing, comfort, and safety. May our God save and deliver his people in times of trouble; He will hear and answer their cry. We cry out to our Lord, come, Lord Jesus, come
The Large Circle represents the world. The focus is on the continent of Africa. And the bottom part of Canada land mass; the ocean surrounds the countries. The children painted the ocean blue, and the landmass was painted with two tones of green and olive yellow green. This all happened when I oversaw running an art camp for a week at Rafiki in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This is a center that caters to immigrants who mostly come from all over Africa. The idea behind this project, which took two days to complete, was to create a prophetic artwork that sends love and prayers from Canada. Under my instruction, the entire project was created by young African children who, while working on the artwork, glued flowers all over the land of Africa and Canada. While they worked, they sang songs about Jesus' Prophetic acts of worship that proclaim His triumphant return. The flowers represent the beauty of the Lord and his fragrance. Waving our little Canadian flags represents that we are sending our love and prayers to the African people, especially the people in Nigeria. My prayer was for healing, protection, and restoration, that God would send revival. And pour out His Spirit.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaopoKUuu0q/?igsh=M3E5OThjNGhkMDNp
We send our love and blessings to all the African people, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We love you, sending you our love and prayers from all the way from Canada. God bless you with His favor, healing of broken hearts, and every wounded soul; may His Mercy flow from his fountain of life, and peaceful living waters flow to your land. May the Lord hear your cry and defend you in this time of persecution and deliver you with His Mighty hand; may he smite your enemies and thrust them through with the conviction from the Holy Spirit. May every lie be burnt away and the Lord’s truth and power prevail. May all the people in Africa come to repentance so healing and revival and renewal can replenish the African people. For this we pray in Jesus ' mighty name. Lord, let your Glory come and lead all souls to Christ our Lord, that all may inherit eternal life in Heaven. May the peace of God rule and reign in our hearts at this time as we prepare for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dal3u72OJsZ/?igsh=MXd1MWtyc3htaXZ0YQ==
A Beautiful Mural was created this past week by African Children of all ages. This is graffiti art done with love and with little helping hands that were devoted to this project at hand. It was a wonderful experience teaching children at Refiki Hamilton
#littleartists ##tulipseason #kidsart #creativekids #artforchildren
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaooPRZOAzi/?igsh=MTNmcjZldjhmZm5ocQ==
Sending love to Africa. Prophetic Art piece created by African Christian children in Canada. We were intentionally sending our love, prayers, and worship songs to God with special intentions for the people of Africa, especially for the Christians who are being persecuted in Nigeria. May our passionate, heartfelt prayers keep being lifted for our brothers and sisters who are suffering such great devastation and heartbreak beyond imagination. God bless the Godly people of Africa. Lord, keep them safe and greatly comforted. In Jesus' name we pray.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaogxaxOaky/?igsh=MWU0MDQ2Zjh4dHB0eQ==
JESUS CAN DO ANYTHING; ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dalchm8xcSf/?igsh=N2gwdjc3YXk5NzJl