The artwork titled “Teaching the Lost” is a creation by Kent Monkman from the year 2012. It resides within the realms of Postcolonial art and Classical Realism, characterized by its figurative genre. The piece is emblematic of Monkman’s incisive explorations of themes such as identity, colonization, and the historical discourse between Indigenous peoples and Western European culture.
In “Teaching the Lost,” the artist interweaves a rich tapestry of symbolism and narrative into a landscape that evokes the grandeur of classical paintings. The central figure, adorned with a headdress and wings, addresses a scattered assembly of characters in various poses of despair and disorientation. This figure stands out in stark contrast against the serene backdrop of a calm lake and a sublime sky imbued with tumultuous clouds, suggesting an impending storm or perhaps the tumult of cultural encounter.
To the left, a group of skeletal forms made from wooden planks, some adorned with feathers, are posed as if in the midst of learning or confusion. A figure that melds human and avian traits points towards the central character, possibly seeking guidance or delivering a message. On the right-hand side, a human figure, rendered with shimmering blue skin, sits contemplatively by the water’s edge near a walking skeleton, which seems to move onward independently. The figures appear lost and in need of teaching, a visual metaphor perhaps for the impact of colonialism and the search for cultural survival and rediscovery. The intricate interplay of forms and figures in the artwork offers a multifaceted critique of historical narratives and a poignant commentary on the resilience and agency of Indigenous peoples.
