“Expelling the Vices” is a figurative artwork created by Kent Monkman in 2014, and it belongs to the Postcolonial art and Queer art movements. The artwork presents a dynamic and provocative scene that features a striking central figure, a partially nude person riding a rearing horse, who seems to be dominating a chaotic moment. The backdrop displays the iconic Mount Rushmore, adding a layer of historical and cultural commentary. Several soldiers, clad in blue uniforms, are depicted in disarray on the ground, with one soldier gazing upwards and others engaged in frantic actions. Completing the scene is a figure dressed in black clutching a rifle, emphasizing the turbulent narrative.
The composition showcases Monkman’s ability to merge historical references with bold, contemporary critique, utilizing vivid colors and dramatic poses to engage viewers in a discourse on power, identity, and history. The elaborate rendering of the figures and the juxtaposition of different elements reflect the artist’s intent to challenge traditional narratives and provoke thought regarding colonization and its aftermath.
