After establishing his name as one of the most innovative and daring Canadian figurative painters, Kent Monkman began to explore the reoccurring themes from his oeuvre in different medium; performance, installation and photography.
In collaboration with photographer Christopher Chapman and make-up artist Jackie Shawn, Monkman offers his most successful multi-disciplinary creation in “Emergence of a Legend.”
These studio portraits were captured, produced, and framed to emulate antique daguerrotypes. They depict Monkman’s alter ego—Miss Chief Eagle Testickle—in a variety of performative roles across time. As a whole, the series references the history of Aboriginal performances for a Western audience.
From left to right, Miss Chief poses as: a performer in George Caitlin’s Gallery (a precursor to the Wild West Shows); a Vaudeville performer (after Molly Spotted Elk, c. 1920s); a fictitious Hollywood silent film starlet, Cindy Silverscreen; a movie director with a backdrop of Monument Valley (referencing The Searchers); and a performer in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, The Trapper’s Bride.
Miss Chief challenges authoritative versions of history by playing the starring role in her tableaus. Challenging the subjectivity of canonical artworks, she calls into question the motivations, ambitions, and egos of their makers. Through his use of Miss Chief, Monkman re-imagines and explores missing historical narratives, and subverts 19th century depictions of Aboriginal people.
Over the last few years, Monkman has appeared as Miss Chief with decreasing frequency—highlighting “Emergence of a Legend” as a precious, transformative, and memorable work by a renowned Canadian artist.
Note: distortion, cracking and fragmentation are entirely intentional and inherent to the artwork. Monkman was trying to replicate the aesthetic and condition of old daguerreotypes from the late 19th century.Â
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"The Emergence of a Legend"Â
Canada, 2006
Series of 5 chromogenic prints on metallic paper
Signed and dated by the artist
From an edition of 25Â
4.5”W 6.5”H (Each photo)
13”W 16”H (Framed)
Excellent condition
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