Question

Do artists have an obligation to be political?

Answer 1

We can’t all be great artists, but I believe artists should understand where their work stands in relation to the contemporary political and social environment. Everything that we, as culture producers, create is cultural data that others consume. Regardless of a maker’s intentions, art is political once it is available to any audience. Even something as seemingly neutral as a chair has political implications.

In our capitalist, consumer-driven economy, the prospect of saying something divisive is daunting to artists whose livelihoods depend on a loyal following. We’ve been fooled into thinking that artists are beholden to their audiences, but the opposite should be true. Art is disruption. Art is seeing opportunities to intervene in the surrounding world and daring to imagine it differently, rather than accepting it as it is. Good art pushes the boundaries of public opinion, leading it to greater knowledge and greater empathy. Artists have that power; we should own it.

It’s also impossible to entirely control a viewer’s reaction to artwork. I do think there are measures that can allow an artist to more effectively navigate the space between the studio and their audience.

1. Learn to see what’s been made invisible to you.

2. Know when to listen, know when to speak, know when to amplify.

3. Monitor your intake to improve your output.