Art and activism often share the same motivations — questioning the status quo, speaking out about injustices, communicating new perspectives, and inspiring others. Artists do this through a variety of mediums, depicting their views in sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle ways, asking us to stay engaged. Good activism inspires critical thinking and empathy, leaving room for interpretation and encouraging expanded horizons. Through their work, artists are an extension and expression of activism.

Examples of activism in American art abound throughout its history:

• The early 1920s with the emergence of Surrealism, which depicted illogical, dreamlike scenes that challenged the status quo. Surrealist artists often used their art to critique political and social issues.
• The creation of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which funded thousands of artists during the 1930s and 40s, producing artworks that reflected the struggles and aspirations of the working class in response to the Great Depression.
• The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, causing artists to create powerful visual narratives that challenged racial segregation and celebrated Black identity.
• The second wave of the feminist movement in the 1960s and 70s, with artists challenging patriarchal norms and advocating for gender equality.
• From the American Revolution to the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, with political cartoons and battlefield paintings, and propoganda posters — some supporting war efforts and others advocating for its end.
• Most recently, with artists addressing issues such as environmental degradation, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and economic inequality.

Art is one of the oldest ways humans have sought to create social change, challenge norms, and inspire others to take action. It has the power to bring our attention to important issues that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. 

From the CMA Collection come a variety of mediums and voices in American art that depict activism in a myriad of ways — sometimes obvious, sometimes not. These artists are harnessing the power of creativity to inspire dialogue, provoke change, and amplify marginalized voices in an ever-changing world.

Images in order from top of page to bottom:

Paul Spina, Untitled

John Lawrence Doyle, Sony War

Rockwell Kent, And Women Must Weep

Susan Grabel, Address Unknown