Artist Interview—Kent Monkman: mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People) | Met Exhibitions

Summary

Cree artist Kent Monkman discusses his collaboration with The Met, aiming to integrate Indigenous experiences into art history. He draws inspiration from various sources, including old paintings and contemporary Indigenous life, to create powerful narratives. Monkman's work challenges the 'vanishing race' stereotype through his persona Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, who humorously reverses the colonial gaze. His exhibition, titled 'mistikôsiwak', reflects on Indigenous perspectives on arrivals, migrations, and displacements, with Miss Chief as a guiding figure in paintings symbolizing both welcome and resurgence.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Kent Monkman is a Cree artist who sees his work as a way to integrate Indigenous experiences into the canon of art history.
• 🌟 He collaborates with The Met to reflect on colonial history from an Indigenous perspective, challenging traditional narratives.
• 🖌️ Monkman's inspiration is drawn from a mix of old paintings and contemporary Indigenous experiences, focusing on the expression of human emotion through art.
• 📸 His creative process involves moving from initial pencil sketches to photography and then to canvas, culminating in a solo effort to finalize the artwork.
• 🧍‍♂️ He critiques the 'vanishing race' stereotype often portrayed by settler artists, emphasizing the ongoing presence and resilience of Indigenous peoples.
• 🏳️‍🌈 Monkman introduces Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, an artistic persona that embodies humor and playfulness, and challenges Eurocentric views on gender and sexuality.
• 🚢 The title 'mistikôsiwak' refers to the Cree term for the French arrival in wooden boats, symbolizing arrivals, migrations, and displacements.
• 🌐 The two paintings 'Welcoming the Newcomers' and 'Resurgence of the People' depict Miss Chief in roles of assistance and leadership, respectively, commenting on generosity and the return to Indigenous traditions.
• 🌉 The Great Hall serves as a backdrop for these themes, representing the constant flow of people entering and leaving, much like the global movements of people.
• 📖 Monkman is particularly drawn to history painting to correct the oversight of Indigenous experiences in historical narratives.

Q & A

Who is Kent Monkman?

Kent Monkman is a Cree artist known for his work that brings Indigenous experience into the canon of art history.

What is the significance of Monkman's collaboration with The Met?

Monkman views his collaboration with The Met as an exciting opportunity to reflect on colonial history from an Indigenous perspective, as The Met opens its doors to artists of diverse ethnicities and viewpoints.

What is Kent Monkman's artistic inspiration?

Monkman draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including old paintings and contemporary experiences, with a focus on how painting can express human emotions such as grief and ecstasy.

How does Kent Monkman approach the process of creating his artwork?

Monkman begins with pencil sketches, identifies characters, conducts a photoshoot with models, and then transitions to painting on canvas, where he refines and completes the work.

What themes does Monkman explore in his work?

Monkman often explores themes related to Indigenous history, particularly refuting the 'vanishing race' narrative and emphasizing that Indigenous peoples are still alive and thriving.

Who is Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, and why is she significant in Monkman's work?

Miss Chief Eagle Testickle is Monkman's artistic persona, a legendary figure who embodies Cree values, humor, and a non-binary understanding of gender and sexuality. She allows Monkman to reverse the gaze and critique European settlers.

How does Monkman incorporate humor into his work?

Monkman uses humor, especially through Miss Chief, to address dark chapters of Indigenous history, reflecting the humor found in Indigenous stories.

What is the significance of the painting 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' in Monkman's work?

Monkman reinterprets Emanuel Leutze's 'Washington Crossing the Delaware,' placing Miss Chief as the hero in his paintings, thereby offering an Indigenous perspective and giving it monumental importance.

What does the title 'mistikôsiwak' mean, and how does it relate to Monkman's exhibition?

The title 'mistikôsiwak' means 'the wooden boat people' in Cree, referring to the French settlers who arrived in wooden boats. This reflects the themes of migration, displacement, and arrival in Monkman's paintings.

What messages do Monkman's paintings 'Welcoming the Newcomers' and 'Resurgence of the People' convey?

'Welcoming the Newcomers' depicts Miss Chief assisting people arriving in North America, symbolizing Indigenous generosity. 'Resurgence of the People' shows Miss Chief commanding a migrant vessel, representing the return to Indigenous languages and traditions amidst global displacement.