Art & politics

Politics has always provoked a response in artists; many see the creation of their work as an expressly political act. But what is the true nature of the link between art and the political machinations of the day – and is it a two-way street? When artists respond to governmental politics, does it have an impact in the corridors of power, or does it serve merely as a means of venting frustration? Do satire and comedy have a more immediate effect?

For three decades, artist Deborah Kelly has been creating a body of mixed-media work that challenges notions of discrimination in all its forms, while Indigenous visual artist Fiona Foley has always explored the tensions between race, sex, politics and history. Cartoonist First Dog on the Moon tackles the hot political issues of the day in his satirical columns in the Guardian and elsewhere.

Our guests discuss the idea of creating work that is not only political in nature, but has that the potential to force politicians to sit up and take notice. How, then, does the world of politics respond to such art?

A good event starts great conversations. Here’s your chance to stay back a while and
meet the guest speakers. Nibbles provided. Drinks at bar prices.

Art & us

The nature and meaning of art has been hotly debated for centuries, but in this new series for 2014, the Wheeler Centre explores the impact of art in a variety of contexts. We look at how artistic practice fits in to the many diverse aspects of everyday life, as well as how its context has a direct effect on the realms of inspiration and creation.