Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors

Karl and Bertl Arnstein Galleries
April 11 – August 16, 2026
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‘History painting’ is a term that was introduced by the French Royal Academy in the 1600s to describe large-scale paintings with historical, mythological, or biblical subjects. Representing the peoples and territories that have shaped the Turtle Island (North America) of today, Monkman’s works both draw on and upend the conventions of this genre to address contemporary societal concerns.

Central among these issues are: the climate crisis and environmental protection, the impact of government policies on Indigenous communities, intergenerational trauma, and the affirmation of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans Indigenous communities’ identities.

This exhibition contains depictions of violence and nudity. Parents and guardians may want to preview.

About the artist

Kent Monkman (born in 1965) is an interdisciplinary visual artist. A member of ocêkwi sîpiy (Fisher River Cree Nation) in Treaty 5 Territory (Manitoba), he lives and works in New York City and Toronto.

Known for his thought-provoking responses to Western European and American art history, Monkman explores themes of colonization, sexuality, loss, and resilience—the complexities of historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences—across painting, film/video, performance, and installation. Monkman’s gender-fluid alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, often appears in his work as a time-travelling, shape-shifting, supernatural being who reverses the colonial gaze to challenge received notions of history and Indigenous peoples.

Monkman’s painting and installation works have been exhibited at institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Royal Ontario Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Philbrook Museum of Art, Palais de Tokyo, and the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College. Monkman’s short film and video works, collaboratively made with Gisèle Gordon, have screened at festivals such as the Berlinale (2007, 2008) and the Toronto International Film Festival (2007, 2015). Monkman is an Officer of the Order of Canada (2023) and the recipient of the Ontario Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts (2017), an honorary doctorate degree from OCAD University (2017), the Indspire Award (2014), and the Hnatyshyn Foundation Visual Arts Award (2014).

Related Events

Kent Monkman. The Great Mystery, 2023. Acrylic on canvas. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, purchased through the Miriam H. and S. Sidney Stoneman Acquisition Fund. © Kent Monkman.

Friday, April 10, 2026
7:30 – 9:00 pm

Opening Celebration | Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors

Celebrate the opening night of the Museum's new exhibition.
Be among the first to experience History Is Painted by the Victors, a powerful exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Kent Monkman. Through monumental paintings, Monkman reimagines history and centers Indigenous perspectives. Enjoy music, a cash bar, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Registration requested. FREE for members, $20 for nonmembers. Kent Monkman (Cree, b. 1965), The Great Mystery, 2023. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, purchased through the Miriam H. and S. Sidney Stoneman Acquisition Fund.

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Kent Monkman

Friday, April 10, 2026
6:30 – 7:30 pm

Free Artist Talk: Kent Monkman

Join the Akron Art Museum at the Akron-Summit County Library Main Branch Auditorium
On Friday, April 10, the Akron Art Museum invites the public to hear directly from one of the most influential contemporary artists working today. Kent Monkman will present a free, live artist talk from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Akron-Summit County Public Library Main Branch Auditorium (60 South High Street, Akron). Monkman will explore the ideas behind the Museum’s exhibition Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors, including history painting, queer and Two-Spirit identity, colonialism, and contemporary Indigenous activism. He will also discuss his celebrated alter-ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, whose time-traveling presence allows Monkman to confront and reframe the past with sharp humor and theatrical power. Using projected images from the exhibition, Monkman will offer insight into his creative process, from staging large-scale scenes to working with dozens of models to build richly layered narratives. The evening will open with an introduction by Dr. LaDonna BlueEye of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, with audience questions to follow at the end of the artist talk if time permits. Following the talk, guests are invited to continue the evening at the Museum for a special exhibition preview. Admission to the preview is free for members and $20 for nonmembers. The artist talk is free and open to the public. Registration is required due to limited seating.

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Kent Monkman. Constellation of Knowledge, 2022. Acrylic on canvas. Collection of Pierre Lassonde. © Kent Monkman.

Thursday, May 7, 2026
12:00 – 12:30 pm

Free Thursday Tour: Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors

Take a free tour at the Akron Art Museum
Led by Museum staff, this month we’ll be touring Kent Monkman’s History is Painted by the Victors in our Arnstein gallery. This free and accessible thirty-minute tour will be joined by an American Sign Language interpreter from Greenleaf Family Center. Registration requested, drop-ins are welcome. FREE. Registration requested.  Kent Monkman (Cree, b. 1965), Constellation of Knowledge, 2022, Collection of Pierre Lassonde.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 pm

Lunch and Learn: Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors

Bring your lunch and learn more about Kent Monkman's exhibition at the Akron Art Museum.
Bring your lunch and join Curator Wendy Earle for a relaxed midday discussion of Kent Monkman: History is Painted by the Victors. This informal program offers an in-depth look at the exhibition’s themes, key works, and ideas, with time for conversation and questions. Whether you’re familiar with Monkman’s work or encountering it for the first time, this is a great opportunity to gain insight and enjoy the company of other members. Registration required. FREE for members / $12 for member guests. Kent Monkman (Cree, b. 1965), The Great Mystery, 2023. Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth, purchased through the Miriam H. and S. Sidney Stoneman Acquisition Fund.

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Thursday, May 21, 2026
6:30 – 9:00 pm

Beyond the Binary Date Night

Join us for a "date" night at the Museum
Bring your friends, family, lovers and others for a “date” night full of happenings celebrating the spaces between and beyond the binaries of gender, sexuality, relationships and representation. Engage with the work of Two-Spirit artist Kent Monkman, the photographs of Knight Prize winner Jess T. Dugan, and enjoy performances in the galleries and artist-led activities in the Lobby. Recommended for adult audiences. FREE, registration requested. Kent Monkman (Cree, b. 1965), History is Painted by the Victors, 2013. Denver Art Museum, gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum.

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