Activism Through Art
A paintbrush and a blank canvas with a voice and a passion. One does not need a megaphone to have their voice be heard. They simply need inspiration and drive. From racial justice to climate change, the spectrum of activism continues to grow and inspire all kinds of artists.
The fight against racial discrimination is a large component of society’s current mission of change. This is why artists decide to tackle this issue through the lens and tools of art in order to cultivate original ways to combat it. Art pieces, such as, Cauleen Smith’s “I’m So Black That I Blind You,” banners were inspired by the many stories of police brutality. Smith focuses on capturing the black community’s perspective and experiences through her visual media art and films. She believes that art is the key needed to inspire conversation. Smith sees art not only as an outlet but also as something to encourage people to open their perspectives and ways of thinking. Her banner of a penetrated eye with a pencil illustrates how depending on the person and context of the situation, the “I” and “you” of the narrative shifts. The pencil represents a form of articulating oneself and using one’s voice, but it can be used for harmful and misconstrued purposes, depending on the person. Overall, Smith uses her artistic skills to encapsulate such a meaningful message of racial profiling in a single painting, introducing a different approach to combating social issues in the world.
Collectively, the citizens of London have made street murals advocating for the fight against climate change. Their colorful and eye-catching pieces emphasize how humanity has abused the natural environment. So much can be inferred from these murals, such as the clear color contrasts to represent how much the world has been changed. For example, on a mural painted by Wing Lo on the streets of Glasgow, London has a green landscape full of flourishing plants and a clear blue sky on the left. Whereas on the right, there is smoke, fire, and pollution. The meaning behind this piece is about "the present and how we humans play a part in climate change and biodiversity loss.” Lo’s art does not incite hostility, but rather promotes peace. It is through art that artists can speak to a wider spectrum of audiences.
A message sent through an art piece is unique and personal. Art speaks to people on a soulful level. It draws out a different way of thinking and approaching social justice issues in our community, a universal way to motivate and unite everyone.