“Nation to Nation,” created by the artist Kent Monkman in 2020, is a figurative and nude painting executed in acrylic on canvas. This artwork belongs to the Postcolonial and Queer art movements.
The artwork vividly portrays a critical and bold depiction involving two male figures, one of whom is nude, wearing an elaborate feathered headdress, and bright red thigh-high boots. Opposite to him is a kneeling figure clad in a red coat and a campaign hat, facing the nude figure with his hands placed near his groin. The scene is set against a lush, green background abundant with leaves, which offers a striking contrast to the intricate and provocative interaction between the two figures. This engagement and the bold choice of attire and posture powerfully convey themes central to postcolonial discourse and queer identity, challenging the viewer to engage with complex narratives of history, power dynamics, and identity.
