Revision and Resistance: Kent Monkman and mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

by Shirley Madill (Contributor), Jami C. Powell (Contributor), Ruth B. Phillips (Contributor)

Kent Monkman (b. 1965) is Canada's most important and influential contemporary artist. His epic diptych commission for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Great Hall is a historic moment, both for Monkman's career and for spotlighting Indigenous and Canadian art on the international stage. A Cree two-spirited artist, Monkman confronts themes of colonization, sexuality, loss, and resilience. Referencing iconic artworks in the Met's permanent collection mistik?siwak (Wooden Boat People) challenges the flawed representations of Indigenous peoples that exist in many museums and galleries. Contributions include interviews and essays by Dr. Sasha Suda, Director and CEO of the National Gallery of Canada; professors and art historians Dr. Ruth B. Phillips and Dr. Mark Salber Phillips; Dr. Jami Powell, Associate Curator of Native American Art at the Hood Museum; Shirley Madill, Executive Director at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery; and author and professor Dr. Nick Estes.

Genres: Indigenous, Art, Art History

130 pages, Hardcover

Published March 31, 2020

Reviews

[Tascha Folsoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Beautiful images and excellent expository text.

[Valdine Ciwko · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book looks specifically at mistikôsiwak (WOODEN BOAT PEOPLE) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it gives me a new appreciation of Kent Monkman’s genius in his art making.