Governor General’s Award recipient Kent Monkman encourages a constant flow of creation

Renowned artist Kent Monkman of Fisher River Cree Nation, Man. has been named this year’s recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts, celebrating his painting, performance, film and installation art.

Monkman's work explores themes of identity, social justice and history. He may be most known for his iconic Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience collection. The artist is respected for his ability to communicate complex subject matter with vivid authenticity and nuance.

“I always assumed that people who got the Governor General’s Award received it very late in life, so I guess it means I’m old,” Monkman joked with Windspeaker.com. “But truly, I’m honored to receive this award.”

Monkman says he’s grateful for his collaborators, and acknowledges their contributions to this award.

“I accept that award because of the amazing people that I collaborate with (that) I consider to be the recipients of that award. My studio team, Gisèle Gordon, my longtime collaborator who wrote The Memoirs of Miss Chief Eagle Testickle with me, and the various artists that I've been fortunate to have collaborated with over the years… I share that award with them.”

Early affirmation

Monkman says he has been creating his entire life, with painting and drawing as foundation and core.

As a child, Monkman was at the kitchen table with crayons, paint or pencils, “just drawing and entertaining myself.”

When young children are encouraged with their art making, that will “grow and blossom from there,” Monkman explained, and that's how it was for him. “We didn't have a lot of money for toys or anything, so my imagination became the best way to amuse myself.”

Early affirmation was key, he says. “My parents affirmed me as an artist so early that I never had any doubt that this was the most fun thing I could think of doing with my life.”

Along with his parents, Monkman credits high school art and drafting teachers, and access to Saturday art classes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for confirming his path.

Monkman reflected on how young people can “second-guess that they feel like they need to be something they're not.”

There comes a time when people just embrace who they are, without judgment, Monkman said. And they can look plainly at themselves and embrace their uniqueness.

“Grasping that can be your greatest asset, just knowing that you have value just like anybody else and that your perspective, your thoughts, are valuable and there's a place for them.”

Process

Monkman’s workspace varies from time spent buzzing about with his studio team and models, to spending quiet time in the country.

Wherever he goes, his sketchbook is with him, tracking inspiration and exploring new compositions. For Monkman, the creative process is non-stop.

“I never really turn it off. It's always flowing and the ideas flow. Sometimes they'll flow from dream images and just get them down on paper.”

His creative process is a constant flow of ideas.

“Drawing, in particular, is the closest, purest art form for me because it's the closest to the idea,” Monkman explained, serving as the starting point for most of his work before it’s expressed in painting, film or installation.

He works with a variety of venues, from museums to art galleries. “Depending on what the audience will be or what it is that I am trying to communicate, I'll decide what would be the most appropriate way to bring my ideas forward…

“If I have ideas that I'm trying to communicate with paintings, I'll think about whether there's a way to engage an audience with a performance piece, to support the themes in that series of paintings.”

Monkman said he decides who all the characters will be in the drawing. “And then we cast models, and we get different outfits for people. And then we do a digital photo shoot in the studio, and then those are then turned into paintings.”

Medicine

To create is medicine, said Monkman.

“When you’re expressing yourself, you're offloading your ideas. And we're constantly barraged with all kinds of stimulation in the world. And we take in a lot of information, and we're processing experiences sometimes that are difficult things to look at or to think about.”

Having an open valve of creativity is a “really good way to just come to terms with it and to reflect on things and to transcend difficult experiences and just get them out as art.”

Monkman has advice for anyone who could use more self-expression in their life.

“I just use that image of that little kid who's just encouraged to express themselves,” he said.

“It's really no different than that, as long as you give yourself permission and, without judgment, to just pour out whatever it is that you want to say or draw or do.

“Just don't filter yourself. Just let it come out of you. Once you're comfortable doing that, it just keeps flowing.”

Local Journalism Initiative Reporters are supported by a financial contribution made by the Government of Canada.