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An Introduction to Socially Engaged Art

Writer's picture: Elena TsavdariElena Tsavdari

Updated: May 1, 2024

There are several terms for socially engaged art. One can find it as social practice, participatory art, community art or socially conscious art. All of these terms refer to projects that require the element of  participation, as the collaborative act of creating an artwork, in this case, is even more important than the artwork itself.


Socially engaged art as a term was coined by the art historian Claire Bishop in her 2006 essay The Social Turn: Collaboration and Its Discontinents. As Bishop stated: "art that operates under the umbrella of social turn tends to happen outside of museums or galleries, although this is not always the case". Socially engaged art has evolved througout history, and has always been associated with activism, as it often deals with political issues. Artists who practice socially engaged art often spend much time getting to know the communities they aspire to help and they develop relationships with the members of the communities in order to be able to truly understand them. 

Of course, socially engaged art has a rich history that has derived through several social and political movements. Anti-war protests, the labor and the civil rights movement provided the inspiration for the beginning of socially engaged art. Artists decided to take action using their art and organizing community-based projects and political campaigns.


Socially engaged art as a genre was introduced in the early 20th century with artists such as Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, in Mexico. These artists created large-scale murals that depicted social and political issues and more specifically the struggles of the working class. The murals were accessible to the public and  their goal was to educate people and endorse social change.



The Arsenal, 1928 by Diego Rivera

In the 1930s-1940s artists started documenting the struggles of ordinary people through photography and murals, depicting the impact of the economic hardship in peoples' everyday life.  

In the 1960s-1970s socially engaged art was quite popular, as artists used their work to confront societal norms, address issues of gender inequality and advocate for social justice. The civil rights movement, anti-war protests and feminist movements had a huge impact on this period's art scene.


In the 1970s-1980s artists started using different ways of expresssing themselves and their views. During this period conceptual art and performances gained popularity and artists started using their bodies and actions as an art medium. Their aim was to touch on social and political issues. Great examples are Marina Abramovic and Joseph Beuys, who explored themes as power and identity through their performances. 



Rhythm 0 performance by Marina Abramovic

In the 1980s-1990s the AIDS crisis and the emergence of identity politics influenced a new wave of socially engaged art. Artists used their work to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and confront discrimination and homophobia. A specific example is Keith Haring's "Unfinished Painting" (1989) which was left purposefully incomplete. It was created shortly before the artist died of AIDS in February 1990. This artwork represents the government's inadequacy regarding the AIDS crisis and reflects the situation prevailing at that time. It also represents the lives that were lost due to the disease and the government's handling regarding it. Even though Haring's painting doesn't include the element of participation, it does engage viewers in a discussion and it can be considered as a form of protest.



Keith Haring's "Unfinished Painting"


The following decades, in the 1990s-2000s, the new media technologies and the globalization of culture led to the creation of new forms of socially engaged art. Internet, video and digital platforms became the new media for artists who wanted to approach a more contemporary way of expressing their concerns on issues like globalization, human rights abuses and environmental degradation. 


Socially engaged art has played a major part in raising awareness about several issues, promoting dialogue and taking action throughout history. Of course, it's a powerful tool for social change, community engagement, empowerment and participation within society.  It aims to have a long-lasting impact, building relationships and initiatives that continue even after the end of a specific project. Socially engaged art is also really important because it usually takes place outside of traditional art spaces and aspires to regain public spaces for public participation and artistic expression.


There are many projects that have some interesting stories to tell. We will see some of them soon!



Cover Photo: Artwork by Meek, on a trainstation in Melbourne.


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