Lot's Wife
- Kent Monkman, Swampy Cree, Fisher River First Nation, b. 1965
- Born: Ontario
- Work Locations: Toronto, ON
Kent Monkman (Fisher River Band Cree), Lot's Wife, 2012. Fiberglass, styrofoam, wood, taxidermy deer, artificial grass, and video projection; Sculptural element; 96 x 96 x 96 in. Video projection; 108 x 192 in. Denver Art Museum: Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan, 2013.71A-J. © Kent Monkman
Drawing from the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Monkman invokes the character of Lot’s wife to help tell the story of the relocation and feelings of loss experienced by the artist’s great-grandmother, Caroline Everet. Much like the experience of Lot’s wife, Everet was forcibly removed from her home by the Canadian government and relocated elsewhere. This relocation was repeated twice more before she finally found a permanent home off her tribal reserve near Winnipeg.
Monkman states, “Lot’s wife was punished for looking back at her homeland as she was being expelled from it. I have transposed the punishment of Lot’s wife to my alter ego Miss Chief for looking back, and for the sin of having a memory.” Through this work, Monkman warns us how without remembering, events can come full circle and occur again.
- "Winnipeg Now"—Winnipeg Art Gallery, 9/29/2012 - 12/30/2012
- "Sovereign: Independent Voices"—Denver Art Museum, 9/15/2013 - 8/16/2015