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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 17 ARTS FOCUS WATERLOO CHRONICLEWATERLOO CHRONICLE By Bob Vrbanac Chronicle Sta� Canada's 150th celebrations marks a historical reality.But what about the cultural one that encompasses the long history of Canada's � rst people? How are their lived experiences being tied into the celebration of the adoption of the British North America Act of 1867? � e K-W Art Gallery is starting that discussion by featuring the provoca- tive works of acclaimed First Nations artist Kent Monkman. His four massive canvases, mea- suring seven feet by 11 feet, are called the Four Continents and depict themes of colonialism, commercial- ism, consumerism and others familiar to a people whose culture has been subsumed by a dominant one. While that might lead to serious debate, Monkman's vibrant paintings, brought together for the � rst time, also explore the absurd and the surreal and skewer those traditional sensibili- ties. It really hits you when you come into the gallery housing work that's colour-coded to the cardinal points of a medicine wheel and more humour- ous than the allegorical frescoes of eighteenth-century artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo -- Monkman's inspi- ration. "I had come across his version of America and I immediately thought I would have to do some kind of version of it because I thought it would be per- fect for my alter-ego Miss Chief," said Monkman, of the representation of himself in drag that ends up in a lot of his paintings and performances. "I thought I'd present her as these four female archetypes representing the four continents (Asia, Europe, Africa and America). "Tiepolo's version of America is the bare-chested woman with ostrich feathers as a headdress. She looks like a show girl, so I thought I could do something because she represents an European imagination of America." Shirley Madill, executive direc- tor of KWAG, supported the project when it was originally considered for the prestigious Venice Biennale in 2009, and while the initial pieces never made it there, Monkman com- pleted the works over the next couple of years. � ere is a lot to take in with the � rst viewing of the pieces meant to catch your eye. It's best to view the expanse of the work before getting closer to investi- gate things like the Nike shoes being delivered by a child labourer in Miss Asia, or the birch canoe with a Mer- cedes logo in Miss America. If you look past the irreverent you will also spot the profound, as a native American's eyes are wide with shock as he rescues a conquistador from the ocean in Miss America. It's almost a look of, "what have I done," as the history of people wel- coming these strange aliens and help- ing them survive often ended in con- quest. "Each painting represents the spread of colonialism and capitalism throughout the planet," said Monk- man. "I wanted to have an indigenous take on that. "I looked at the iconic images of those four continents and had a lot of fun stitching them together." Crystal Mowry, senior curator of the K-W Art Gallery, said last year was the 60th anniversary of the gallery in addition to Canada's 150th and they hoped to spark a conversation with the art they show and have commis- sioned. "What is our future?" said Mowry. "That's something we're trying to embrace this year." � e exhibit is on until March 12. Addressing the cultural divide Monkman's Four Continents to spark conversation about culture during Canada's 150 Kent Monkman, a First Nations artist of Cree descent, is showing his massive works called the Four Continents until March 12 at the K-W Art Gallery. His works, like Miss Asia (above) explore themes like colonialism and capitalism in a way that both challenges and mocks convention. SUBMITTED PHOTO Stay Current... From the latest information on local politics, to minor sports scores to what's going on down the street, visit www.waterloochronicle.ca CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY