Have you ever met an artist with an alter ego?! Well you will have after seeing Kent Monkman.
https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/exhibitions/kent-monkman-being-legendary
Back in the 2000s, Monkman realized his gender fluid alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. She is not only a time traveler but also a hero, performer, artist, and activist. They appear in his works as a being that challenges the perceived beliefs of Indigenous people and stereotypes because he himself is a Native American, specifically a member of the Fisher River band situated in Manitoba's Interlake Region.
This glamorous, gender-fluid figure embodies resistance and resilience, often placed in historical contexts to critique colonial narratives. Through Miss Chief, Monkman reimagines history from an Indigenous perspective, offering a powerful commentary on the erasure and marginalization of Indigenous peoples.
Wooden Boat People (2019).
https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2019/12/kent-monkman-miss-chief-eagle-testickle
The artist uses an art style called Abstract Expressionism, which uses abstraction to show emotions. The main theme he shows in his art is the impact of colonialism on sexuality. Because he believes that art is a way to leave a mark on the world, this is how he chooses to do it.
https://www.kentmonkman.com/drawing/watercolour-study-for-constellation-of-knowledge-cobalt
Monkman’s work confronts the sanitized versions of history presented in the media. By inserting Indigenous perspectives into Western art scenes, he forces viewers to acknowledge the atrocities committed against Indigenous communities. This not only educates but also serves as a form of resistance against ongoing colonial narratives.
Through his art, Monkman became a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights. His pieces highlight issues such as the loss of land and cultural erasure.
Today, he lives and works in Toronto, Canada and continues to make more pieces, installations, and performances that further his artistic dream.