CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 6/27/2025

In Kent Monkman, a little mischief may lead to monumental change

An image we love always, but especially over Pride weekend here in NYC, Kent Monkman’s “The Great Mystery” (2022) is reproduced from History is Painted by the Victors, the catalog to the renowned Cree Canadian artist’s current show at the Denver Art Museum—his first major museum exhibition in the United States. Generally organized around Monkman’s alter ego, “Miss Chief,” this volume takes on issues of colonization and queerness, dark histories and corrective imaginations, with dark humor and pointed fury. “The subjects of Monkman’s paintings range from brutal scenes of oppression to moments of lament and celebrations of triumph and valor,” John P. Lukavic and Léuli Eshroghi write. “They challenge authority, or rather authorship, of the official colonial histories that many have learned and perpetuated. Some of these works are allegorical or metaphorical, while others are of known moments in history. If you find Monkman’s work challenging, enlightening, offensive, affirming or validating, it is absolutely meant for you.” They conclude: “A little mischief can lead to monumental change.”