The Art of Protest

In an era of sensationalized news, artists around the world are observing politics and raising awareness on issues like authoritarian regimes, sustainability, climate change, diversity, and immigration.

Art’s ability to communicate, question, and influence opinions have made it a vital tool in activism. We are living in tumultuous times where democracies are challenged from all sides and there is a growing divide between left and right. Diverse topics are subjects that contemporary artists are covering to generate controversy, shine a light on government issues, and create empathy.

The Art of Protest explores the connection between art, politics, and activism today. Understand how over the past decade, artists have been engaging with political and social issues of all kinds and often raising alarms that are missed by politicians.

Alain Bieber is the artistic director of the cultural institution NRW-Forum Düsseldorf. For the past two decades he has been organizing exhibitions with contemporary artists, especially in the fields of art and activism. Francesca Gavin is contributing editor at Kaleidoscope, Twin, Good Trouble, Beauty Papers, and Financial Times, How to Spend It magazine. She cocurated “Manifesta11” and has curated exhibitions at Somerset House and Palais de Tokyo. She was co-editor of gestalten’s The Age of Collage 3, published in 2020.