The artwork, titled “Water Walker,” was created by Kent Monkman in 2020. This piece, executed in acrylic on canvas, belongs to the art movements of Classical Realism and Postcolonial art. It falls within the genres of figurative and portrait painting.
In the artwork, a figure garbed in traditional attire is depicted sitting on a rock by a serene body of water. The subject’s attire is elaborate, featuring intricate patterns and vibrant colors dominated by shades of blue and red. The subject, adorned with two long braids, exudes a sense of dignity and strength, holding a feather delicately in one hand. The background portrays a tranquil, expansive water body under a vast sky with an array of hues indicating perhaps a time close to dawn or dusk. The presence of a copper pot placed beside the figure suggests elements of everyday life, grounding the scene in a sense of reality and lived experience while also hinting at cultural and historical depth. The meticulous attention to detail and the clarity of expression imbue the composition with both narrative and emotional resonance.
