Monkman’s art aims to help us recognize the connectedness of all living beings in space and time. He invokes the compositional conventions of historical military paintings to authorize and validate acts of Indigenous resistance.
The works here highlight recent acts, such as those of Water Protectors on the Standing Rock Reservation (2016–17) in North Dakota who aimed to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline.
They also shine a light on Indigenous protections of forests and wetlands across the continent and the medicines and teachings they contain.
History is an incomplete story without an end. The actions of those today are the grand narratives of the future.
Despite extreme adversity, Indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate leadership in defending lands, waters and skies, recognizing a spectrum of gender, sexuality and kinship structures, preserving linguistic and biological diversity and working to recognize and heal the generational impacts of colonial policies that continue to harm.
Kent Monkman (1965-), Tasha Beeds, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 152.4 x 91.4 cm. Collection of D. and C. Angelo. © and image courtesy Kent Monkman
Tasha Beeds (Cree, Scottish-Métis and Bajan) is a scholar and protector of her community, the land and the water.
She is a mother, grandmother, artist, poet, academic, mentor to many and Water Walker (a ceremonial role).
Monkman recognizes her work to promote sovereignty and preserve cultural legacies as invaluable to Indigenous people.
View of the exhibition Kent Monkman: History Is Painted by the Victors. © Kent Monkman. Photo MMFA, Jean-François Brière
