2. Social and Political Issues in Art
Objective: Choose a political or social concern you care deeply
about. Express the concern in a mixed-media piece of art.
Some ideas of things you might be interested in
depicting/standing up for or against:
•pollution/environmental concerns
•abortion rights,
•pro-life, racism,
•big government,
•homelessness.
•AIDS,
•the war in Iraq,
•poverty,
•verbal abuse,
•bullying,
•depression,
• teen suicide,
• discrimination,
• gay rights,
•
3. Political and Social Art
0 Political art has been a part of the social landscape of
the world for centuries. Art has always been used as a
way to reflect society and shed light on issues of the
day.
0 There are 5 different ways an artist can present
particular points of view in their creative pieces.
5. Sociopolitical Art
1. What imagery does this Banksy chalk drawing depict about a social concern?
2. In your own words, how has this idea been presented successfully or not?
6. 2. Propaganda
Political art can be used as propaganda to
support a particular cause.
Propaganda -Government that controls the masses by
spreading information.
8. 1. What do you think the message is in this particular piece of art?
2. Do you think the artist was successful in delivering the message?
Why?
9. 4. Protest
Political art has also been used by citizens as a form of
protest against governments or as a way to let
politicians know that they are unhappy with the way
they are dealing with certain issues. In the 1980s,
posters were created by AIDS activists who wanted to
let the U.S. government know how dissatisfied they
were.
10. Protest
1. Out of these two examples which one creates a bigger impact and why?
2. What other ways have you seen society protest against guns?
11. 5. Satire
Political issues are often serious in
nature; however, political art has a way of
helping the citizens of the country see
some of the humor of the fighting by
creating visual satire.
12. Satire
1. Between these two pieces of art, which do you feel has a greater impact
on the idea that the artist is trying reveal? Why?
2. Do you find humor in either, if so which one?
13. Banksy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkc921anMBw
After watching the YouTube link below answer the following
questions:
1. How would you describe the art Banksy Creates?
2. What piece of his that stood out to you? Describe it.
3. What kind of political or social statement did he use? Why do you think
this?
4. What kind of feeling or initial response did you feel when you saw this
piece.
15. Your Assignment
You will be able to collect imagery based on expressive properties.
1. Decide on a social or
political concern that you
feel deeply about.
2. Gather text that support
your belief or statement.
3. The text can consist of
words from the newspaper,
magazines, novels, and the
internet.
4. Put the words together on
your drawing surface using
the collage technique.
5. Do a drawing from life of
the skeleton in the class
directly on top of your
collage of words with conte
sticks.
6. The arrangement of text
and skeleton should be
innovative and make sense
with the entire composition.
16. Answer the Following
questions…
1. Write three social or
political beliefs that have a
strong impact on your
beliefs.
2. Write a statement on why
this is a belief that is
personal to you. The
statement should consist of a
minimum of 5 complete
sentences.
3. Write down 5-10 words or
phrases that reflect your
statement.
