The largest solo exhibition of Kent Monkman to date.

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Kent Monkman through iconic and monumental paintings by this major Canadian artist and member of ocêkwi sîpiy (Fisher River Cree Nation). Through his subversive lens, he revisits history painting to challenge colonial narratives and offer new perspectives on the past and our present.

History painting is a term that was introduced by the French Royal Academy in the 17th century to describe large-scale paintings with historical, mythological, or biblical subjects. Representing the peoples and territories that have shaped the Turtle Island (North America) of today, Monkman’s works both draw on and subvert the conventions of this genre to address contemporary societal concerns.

Central among these issues are: the climate crisis and environmental protection, the impact of government policies on Indigenous communities, intergenerational trauma, and the affirmation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans Indigenous communities’ identities.

(The exhibition includes works on loan from Canadian and American museums as well as a selection from the MMFA’s collection)