The artwork named “Resurgence of the People,” created by the artist Kent Monkman in 2019, is an acrylic painting on canvas. This piece is influenced by the art movements of Classical Realism and Postcolonial art, and it falls under the figurative genre.
The artwork portrays a dramatic and complex scene featuring a group of people in a wooden boat amidst turbulent waters. A central figure, adorned in red, strikes a powerful and defiant pose, holding a feather in one hand and a metal object resembling a snake in the other. Surrounding figures are of varied backgrounds, depicted with detailed expressions and actions that suggest a sense of urgency and struggle. Amidst the rough sea, people in uniform brandish firearms on a rock, contrasting with the boat’s passengers, including women, men, and children, who seem united in their plight. The backdrop of dark clouds and a gloomy sky further intensifies the scene’s emotional depth. The intricate details and the dynamic composition reflect the themes of resistance and renewal embedded within the postcolonial context.
