Member Medal of the Order of Canada
Two leading Indigenous artists, Kent Monkman and James Hart, have been appointed as officers of the Order of Canada, one of Canada's top honours.
The award, made by the governor general, recognizes "extraordinary and sustained contributions" to Canadian society.
Monkman, a Toronto-based interdisciplinary Cree artist, was honoured for "his achievements as one of Canada's most dynamic contemporary artists."
A member of the Fisher River band in Manitoba's Interlake region, Monkman is known for provocative interventions into Western art history, where he explores themes related to colonization, sexuality, loss and resilience, at times through his gender-fluid alter ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle.
He has exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery of Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum, among many others. He has had two nationally touring solo exhibitions, Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience and The Triumph of Mischief.
Hart, or 7IDANsuu, a chief of the Haida Nation, was honoured for his "longtime contributions to Haida art and to the cultural mentoring of youth, and for raising awareness of social issues."
Hart comes from a long line of artists, including his great-great-grandfather Charles Edenshaw. He apprenticed with artist Robert Davidson in the 1970s and worked with Bill Reid from 1980 to 1984.
He is a carver, jeweller and printer who also pioneered the use of bronze in Haida sculpture. Hart, whose work can be found internationally, received the Order of British Columbia in 2003 and the Audain Prize in 2021.
The two artists were among 85 new appointments announced Friday in Ottawa by Governor General Mary Simon.
In welcoming the new recipients, Simon noted that work remains to be done to ensure Canadian honours better reflect the country's full diversity.
"Nominations continue to fall short of representing the excellence achieved by women, Francophones, persons with disabilities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds," Simon said.
"We want to learn more about the contributions from Indigenous peoples, Black and 2SLGTBQIA+ communities, to truly honour the richness of our country. We encourage everyone to have a say in how we honour our fellow Canadians by nominating individuals that reflect the very best of who we are and want to be."
The date of the investiture ceremony, where appointees receive their insignia, is yet to be announced.
Source: Governor General of Canada
