Life imitates Art & Politics
By Debastuti Talukdar
Art, society and politics have been interconnected for millennia, creating new identities and shaping our understanding of our society. Art and politics have been influencing each other, as ideologies, events, and political shifts have had an impact on art throughout different eras.
To quote Dr. Michael Shank, “The arts are an emotionally powerful and transformative medium; using them must be done strategically and systematically” (‘Redefining the Movement: Art Activism’, Michael Shank). Though we tend to assume the painter’s imagination to be based on personal preferences or experiences, it can also hold bold political statements and implications. Throughout history, art has been leveraged in revolutions, social movements and even mere political strife to express dissent, mobilise crowds and accelerate change. From visual arts to music, performance art to literature, the power of art is subversive across spheres.
Certain popular protest art pieces include Eugene Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People”, Picasso’s “Guernica”, Abanindranath Tagore’s “Bharat Mata”, and M.F Hussain’s “Death of Democracy”, among others.
From Ancient to Contemporary: Tracing the power of the brush
Art can be interpreted in several ways to transcend politics and time. Political art is an art form that raises awareness of or makes a statement about a social or political issue so that the general public can interpret and comprehend it. Political art is crucial to societal transformation, as it characterises and impacts our way of life. We have observed this phenomenon from ancient times through the medieval era into the present.
Ancient political art
Ancient political art focused on legitimising and permeating the power and influence of rulers to gain respect and loyalty and is thus much different than modern art, rarely making the kind of impact that political artworks do in the present but regardless, artworks showcasing the social and political life of the time existed.
A remarkable example from antiquity is the Standard of Ur, an artefact from ancient Mesopotamia; a wooden box with intricate mosaics made of shell, lapis lazuli and red limestone, it depicts scenes of war and peace, highlighting the power and authority of the rulers.
This practice of depicting social and political culture found its way to Ancient China as well, wherein the Terracotta Army, a collection of life-sized clay sculptures buried near the mausoleum of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, showcased an array of soldiers, horses, and chariots, created to protect the emperor in the afterlife, showcasing the military and imperial might of China.
Medieval Political Art
Between the 5th century and 16th century, political art primarily served as a means of power consolidation for the ruling class. The Medieval Art movement impacted Europe, Western and Southern Asia, and Northern Africa due to its widespread period of 1000 years and abundance of innovative and distinctive items.
In India, the mediaeval period saw the emergence of Mughal miniature paintings, depicting scenes from court life, battles, and political events serving as visual records of the Mughal emperors' reigns and used to propagate their authority and achievements. Examples include paintings from the Akbarnama and Baburnama, which glorified the conquests and governance of Mughal rulers.
Bhakti and Sufi poets in medieval India used their literary works to critique the political establishment and advocate for social justice and equality. Poets like Kabir, Tulsidas, and Guru Nanak challenged the hierarchies of caste and religion, promoting universal harmony, inspiring social reform movements and challenging the authority of oppressive rulers.
During the Italian Renaissance, Ambrogio Lorenzetti's fresco cycle, "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government" is a powerful political statement on the consequences of good and bad governance. The painting depicts the effects of virtuous and corrupt rule on the city-state, illustrating the importance of justice and peace. “Tamarlane’s Conquest” by Behzad, a Persian miniaturist, who painted it as a powerful political statement depicting the military campaigns and conquests of the Central Asian conqueror Timur while also conveying the brutality and devastation of war, is another example of influential medieval art.
Modern Political art
The complex relationship between art and politics is being valiantly explored in modern art. The realm of modern art is evidence of artists' unwavering pursuit of political problems.
From Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People" depicting the July Revolution of 1830 in France, with the allegorical figure of Liberty leading the masses over the barricades, symbolising the struggle for freedom and democracy and inspiring revolutions for social change globally; through the emergence of the Bengal School of Art in light of the Swadeshi Movement against the British Raj, led by remarkable artists like Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose; to Pablo Picasso's masterpiece "Guernica", created in response to the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, and depicting the horrors of war, modern political art is an ever impressive and gigantic tapestry of ideas and expressions, impressively threaded by the rise and emergence of nationalist and socialist movements across countries.
It included pieces on social commentary on gender conforms, societal pressures and inequalities. Frida Kahlo's "Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair" (1940) is a poignant reflection on identity, gender, and autonomy, depicting Kahlo wearing a man's suit and cutting her hair, symbolising her defiance of societal norms and assertion of selfhood.
More recently, in the 1980s and 1990s, as the AIDS crisis ravaged communities worldwide, art became a crucial tool for raising awareness and combating stigma. The Silence = Death Project employed striking graphic design for advocacy. The project's iconic poster, featuring a pink triangle symbolising both the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals and the epidemic's disproportionate impact on queer communities, became synonymous with the fight against HIV/AIDS. In the modern art world, the terrain of the political discourse is shaped by new potent narratives.
Political Art in the Digital Era
The way we navigate the kaleidoscopes of the modern, digital Age is shaped by the intricate landscapes depicted in contemporary art, which mirror politics. Contemporary artists and producers have influenced our collective awareness.
In the digital age, artists use technology and social media platforms to engage in online activism and advocate for social change. From digital illustrations and animations to memes and webcomics, they address issues including political corruption, climate crisis, and LGBTQ+ rights, reaching diverse audiences and culminating virtual communities.
In India, Dalit artists and activists have leveraged art for social empowerment, challenging caste-based discrimination and advocating for Dalit rights and representation through visual art, literature, and performance. The COVID-19 pandemic further prompted a wave of artistic responses worldwide. In India, artists have utilised various mediums to address the impact of the pandemic and advocate for social change. From online concerts and virtual exhibitions to street art and community murals, artists have found innovative ways to connect with audiences and promote harmony.
The relevance and effectiveness of art in politics, social movements, and revolution continue to this day and will continue because art and politics are inseparable, influencing each other immensely.
As we confront the complex challenges of our time, let us recognize the transformative potential of art to drive change and shape a more equitable world. Through the creative process of narrative-driven art, artists will continue to delve into the depths of our shared yet profound human experience.