Lot's Wife

Lot's Wife

2012
Artist
Kent Monkman, Swampy Cree, Fisher River First Nation, b. 1965
Born: Ontario
Work Locations: Toronto, ON
Culture
Swampy Cree | Fisher River First Nation
Object
sculpture
Medium
Fiberglass, Styrofoam, wood, taxidermy deer, artificial grass, video projection
Accession Number
2013.71A-J
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum

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          

Dimensions
height: 96 in, 243.8400 cm; width: 96 in, 243.8400 cm; depth: 96 in, 243.8400 cm; height: 108 in, 274.3200 cm; width: 192 in, 487.6800 cm
Department
Native Arts
Collection
Indigenous Arts of North America

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.

Known Provenance
Created by the artist, 2012; Purchased by Vicki and Kent Logan from the artist, 2013; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2013.
Exhibition History
  • "Winnipeg Now"—Winnipeg Art Gallery, 9/29/2012 - 12/30/2012
  • "Sovereign: Independent Voices"—Denver Art Museum, 9/15/2013 - 8/16/2015