Kiss the Sky
151.1 cms x 120.6 cms (59.5 ins x 47.5 ins)
Signed and dated 2010
made in 2010
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "Fall 2011 Live auction" held on Thu, Nov 24, 2011.
Lot 035
Lot 035
Estimate: CAD $40,000 - $50,000
Did not sell
Did not sell
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
Private Collection, Toronto
Exhibitions:
17th Biennale of Sydney, Australia, May 12 - August 1, 2010
Literature:
Gerald Hannon, "The Pink Indian", Toronto Life, September 2011, pages 54 - 62, reproduced pages 54 and 55
Notes:
Kent Monkman's alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, has escorted the artist on his rise to international acclaim. As a recurring figure in Monkman's work, the chiseled Miss Chief opens up discussions regarding historical paintings and any Eurocentric narratives they may project. In Kiss the Sky, she is dominant amidst the classical background and is accompanied by three winged males, a reference to the Greek mythological tale of Icarus. Icarus attempted to escape from Crete by using wings that his father constructed from feathers and wax. Disoriented by his attempt to conquer the skies, Icarus disobeyed his father's instructions and flew too close to the sun, ultimately melting the wax and causing Icarus to fall to his death. The tale is commonly associated with failed ambition - a myth Monkman is undeniably making reference to. By contrasting the faltering figures with the heroic, manicured stance of Miss Chief, Monkman (who is of Cree and Irish descent) is questioning the classical representations of the relationship between the native and non-native population. Monkman skillfully presents such questions without lecturing - with only a smirk and a gentle nudge.
Private Collection, Toronto
Exhibitions:
17th Biennale of Sydney, Australia, May 12 - August 1, 2010
Literature:
Gerald Hannon, "The Pink Indian", Toronto Life, September 2011, pages 54 - 62, reproduced pages 54 and 55
Notes:
Kent Monkman's alter ego, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, has escorted the artist on his rise to international acclaim. As a recurring figure in Monkman's work, the chiseled Miss Chief opens up discussions regarding historical paintings and any Eurocentric narratives they may project. In Kiss the Sky, she is dominant amidst the classical background and is accompanied by three winged males, a reference to the Greek mythological tale of Icarus. Icarus attempted to escape from Crete by using wings that his father constructed from feathers and wax. Disoriented by his attempt to conquer the skies, Icarus disobeyed his father's instructions and flew too close to the sun, ultimately melting the wax and causing Icarus to fall to his death. The tale is commonly associated with failed ambition - a myth Monkman is undeniably making reference to. By contrasting the faltering figures with the heroic, manicured stance of Miss Chief, Monkman (who is of Cree and Irish descent) is questioning the classical representations of the relationship between the native and non-native population. Monkman skillfully presents such questions without lecturing - with only a smirk and a gentle nudge.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.