The artwork titled “Taxonomy of the European Male” by Kent Monkman was created in 2005 and is a significant piece within the postcolonial and queer art movements, classified under the genre of performance. This work is a candid exploration of cultural and gender identity themes, which are recurrent in Monkman’s oeuvre.
In the artwork, an individual is depicted sitting astride a horse. Both the person and the horse are positioned prominently in front of a sign that reads “McMichael Canadian Art Collection.” The individual is wearing a large, dramatic white headdress with black tips, and their attire seems to be a mix of traditionally gendered elements, thus challenging the conventional representations of identity. This juxtaposition of cultural symbols and the performance element of the artwork resonate with the thematic concerns of the postcolonial and queer art movements, aiming to critique and question established norms and historical narratives. The setting at McMichael, known for housing the art of the Group of Seven, adds another layer to the artwork’s commentary on Canadian identity, art history, and colonial legacy.
