Kent Monkman: Being Legendary at the Royal Ontario Museum

by Kent Monkman

Being Legendary presents a new-and never before published-body of work by the revered and internationally renowned Cree artist Kent Monkman, guided by an Indigenous worldview, historical narratives, and the artist's playful imagination. Known for his thought-provoking and groundbreaking paintings, in Being Legendary Monkman focuses on the cultural world's most urgent What does the museum mean in the twenty-first century? Since time immemorial, Indigenous knowledge has been deeply embedded in the land, carried in stories, songs, and art. Yet not only has this history never been a focus of North America's greatest museum, it has been diminished by the forced interruptions of the colonial project on Turtle Island. In a landmark exhibition at the Royal Ontario Museum, Monkman, through his art and his gender-fluid, shape-shifting alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, presents in the paintings and pages of Being Legendary a powerful counter-narrative to the conventional structures of colonial collecting institutions. By highlighting Indigenous systems of knowledge, Being Legendary upholds the continuity and transcendence of worldviews that existed for millennia before the creation of Western museums. It speaks to the interruption of Indigenous knowledge caused by colonial forces and challenges our institutions to consider a fresh way of thinking. Powerful, provocative, and inspiring, Being Legendary presents the knowledge carried by Indigenous leaders in the community who shine a light forward for future generations.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

180 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2022

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is marvelous. The essays are well-written and go into depth on the topics and add to the excellence that is the ROM exhibition by Kent Monkman that started in October 2022 and which goes until March 2023. I loved seeing the art in person and I am so thankful to own a book of this caliber commemorating this challenging and amazing art. I am so happy with this book and I definitely recommend it. I also certainly recommend the ROM exhibition.

[Sue Cecchini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book… even better that my son has worked on the paintings and is mentioned in the book 💕

[Courtland Bethune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning artwork and a beautiful history lesson at the same time.

Highly recommend!

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible book! I absolutely loved the paintings done by Kent Monkman. So vivid and colourful! I wish I could see the artwork in person.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

GORGEOUS!!!