Faint Heart 96,922 2008

Kent Monkman made Faint Heart 96,922 in watercolor. It's so cool how watercolor can be both delicate and bold, like feelings, right? The colors here are earthy, but with a pop of that red on the face—it’s like a signal. The thin washes let the light through, giving it this ethereal vibe. The edges aren’t sharp; they bleed and blend, which makes the figure feel alive, like they could move at any moment. Look at the way the blue feathers sort of dissolve into the white space, it’s kind of magical, isn't it? Monkman uses this medium to play with identity and history. I'm reminded of Marsden Hartley, who also used watercolor to capture something deeper than just the surface of things. Art’s always talking to art, you know? It’s a big, beautiful conversation.