La Nouvelle Odalisque 2017

Kent Monkman's 2017 painting, *La Nouvelle Odalisque*, reimagines the iconic European art historical genre of the odalisque, but through a First Nations lens. This work is a powerful commentary on colonialism and the often-exploitative relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Western culture. The painting depicts Indigenous figures in a playful, satirical manner, reclaiming their bodies and narratives from the colonial gaze. The use of vibrant color and bold compositions further contributes to the work's provocative and engaging nature. *La Nouvelle Odalisque* is a crucial work in Monkman’s larger artistic project of reclaiming and reimagining Indigenous history and identity.