Art has the ability to transcend the language boundaries, foster understanding, and mobilise communities. Throughout history, there are many examples of how systemic inequalities and environmental issues have been confronted through art. Find out the most significant examples of artists who used their talents to inspire social change.
1. Jean-Francois Millet – “The Angelus”
- Jean-Francois Millet was a French painter in 19th century, who often criticised the economic conditions in rural France.
- He painted “The Angelus” to raise awareness towards the exploitation of the working class who used to struggle in poverty.
2. Pablo Picasso – “Guernica”
- Picasso is one of the most influential artists of 20th century. He often expressed social and political statements through his art.
- The painting “Guernica” describes the suffering endured by civilians when Nazi’s bombed the Spanish town of Guernica. This is the most powerful anti-war painting ever created.
3. Dorothea Lange – “Migrant Mother”
- Dorothea Lange was an American photojournalist and documentary photographer.
- In 1936, she captured the struggles of a mother with two children in the famous photo “Migrant Mother”, which is currently displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
4. Judy Chicago – “The Dinner Party”
- Judy Chicago is an American feminist artist, whose art is inspired from the role of women in history and culture.
- “The Dinner Party” installation illustrates a triangle table for 39 famous historical and mythical women. It suggests that women can remake the world and can be prime symbol makers. The artwork is currently exhibited at Brooklyn Museum, New York.
5. Olafur Eliasson – “Ice Watch”
- Olafur Eliasson is an Icelandic-Danish artist, who is famous for using elemental materials to enhance the spectator’s experience.
- The project “Ice Watch” (2014-2018) aims to raise awareness towards climate change, by installing ice blocks from Greenland in several places around the world where the spectators can watch the glaciers melting.
