Activist Artists
Activist artists choose to engage with and start a conversation on a variety of topics, from the environment and politics to race, gender and sexuality. A huge element of what makes contemporary art so important is engaging with current world issues; art is an invaluable tool in providing innovative insight and fresh perspectives where words can fail.
The incredible beauty of the natural world is something that artists have represented for centuries. So when it comes under threat by humanity, it's not surprising that ecologically engaged artists such as Jérémy Gobé, Angeles Peña and Franck Seguin use their art to promote its protection.
Gender and sexuality also plays a significant role in artistic activism. Belgian photographer Charlotte Abramow's stunning shots explore gender identity, feminism and female sexuality. Meanwhile, American non-binary artist Ryan Wilks' drawings confront the difficult relationship between sexual orientation and religion.
The world of politics is also ever present in contemporary art, with political artists exploring humanitarian issues and our societal values. World famous street artists Banksy and Shepard Fairey both explore a range of political subjects, from war crime to the disadvantages of consumerism.
Expand your horizons and discover Artsper's curated selection of activist artists!
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Future is Equal HPM 2/6
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 61 x 46 cm Painting - 24 x 18.1 inch
£7,070
Peace Fingers
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Design - 30.5 x 17.5 x 5.6 cm Design - 12 x 6.9 x 2.2 inch
£1,611
School Desk
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Sculpture - 28 x 31 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11 x 12.2 x 3.5 inch
£5,370
Unity - Obey Flower
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 74 x 74 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.1 x 29.1 x 0 inch
£1,074
JR
Ballerina in containers, on the edge, le Havre, France
JR
Print - 70 x 100 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 inch
£3,132
Migrants, Mayra, Picnic Across The Border. Tecate, Mexico–USA (2017)
JR
Design - 20 x 80 x 1 cm Design - 7.9 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
£533
Trompe l'oeil, Les Falaises du Trocadéro
JR
Print - 64 x 96 x 1 cm Print - 25.2 x 37.8 x 0.4 inch
£10,292
The Wrinkles of the city, La Havana, Antonio Cruz Gordillo
JR
Print - 100 x 70 x 0.2 cm Print - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch
£1,700
Migrants, Walking New York City. New York, USA (2015)
JR
Print - 100 x 80 x 1 cm Print - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
£890
Finding Hope, Night View, Paris, France
JR
Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
£2,139
28 Millimètres, Face 2 Face, Separation Wall, Security fence, Palestinian side, Bethlehem, 2007
JR
Print - 70 x 100 x 0.2 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.1 inch
£1,790
Cleon Peterson
To Create And Destroy
Cleon Peterson
Print - 92 x 114 x 0.1 cm Print - 36.2 x 44.9 x 0 inch
£618 £556
End Of Empire, Kantharos
Cleon Peterson
Print - 30.5 x 40.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 12 x 15.9 x 0 inch
£447
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Maman Monument Vivant
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch
£5,370
Banc de tournesols
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Print - 56.7 x 85 x 0.1 cm Print - 22.3 x 33.5 x 0 inch
£358
Les Nounous
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 140 x 140 x 2 cm Painting - 55.1 x 55.1 x 0.8 inch
£9,845
Life a Journey
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 59 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 23.2 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch
£5,370
Route vers le paradis
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 205 x 150 x 2 cm Painting - 80.7 x 59.1 x 0.8 inch
£13,425
Bledard! Je suis nouveau à l'ecole
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 130 x 89 x 2 cm Painting - 51.2 x 35 x 0.8 inch
£8,055
La photo de classe
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 200 x 270 x 2 cm Painting - 78.7 x 106.3 x 0.8 inch
£20,584
Citoyen du monde
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 200 x 230 x 2 cm Painting - 78.7 x 90.6 x 0.8 inch
£18,168
Karine Giboulo
Charlotte Abramow
Find your clitoris II
Charlotte Abramow
Photography - 60 x 47 x 0.5 cm Photography - 23.6 x 18.5 x 0.2 inch
£2,774
Tracey Emin
It's a crime to live with the person you don't love
Tracey Emin
Print - 41.9 x 29 cm Print - 16.5 x 11.4 inch
£2,074
Silkscreened beach towel
Tracey Emin
Design - 106.7 x 175.3 x 0.5 cm Design - 42 x 69 x 0.2 inch
£830
Banksy
Hélène Deghilage
Père et enfant (Série par dessus les grillages)
Hélène Deghilage
Painting - 60 x 80 cm Painting - 23.6 x 31.5 inch
£1,790
Par dessus les grillages 2
Hélène Deghilage
Painting - 100 x 130 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 inch
£3,759
Par dessus les grillages 3
Hélène Deghilage
Painting - 100 x 130 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 inch
£3,759
Thomas Dellert
Frida her life art and loves
Thomas Dellert
Photography - 70 x 70 x 3 cm Photography - 27.6 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch
£3,222
Fire Dance or Le sacre de Printemps
Thomas Dellert
Print - 60 x 50 x 3 cm Print - 23.6 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch
£2,595
Vincent van Gogh The Sun catcher
Thomas Dellert
Painting - 191 x 161 x 10 cm Painting - 75.2 x 63.4 x 3.9 inch
£19,689
Titanic mini museum
Thomas Dellert
Sculpture - 165 x 120 x 10 cm Sculpture - 65 x 47.2 x 3.9 inch
£6,712
No more war (Anti War Art)
Thomas Dellert
Print - 50 x 60 x 3 cm Print - 19.7 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
£2,148
Target the fist of Muhammad Ali
Thomas Dellert
Print - 90 x 100 x 3 cm Print - 35.4 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch
£3,580
F the President... I did (Election 2020 Poster 1)
Thomas Dellert
Print - 70 x 150 x 1 cm Print - 27.6 x 59.1 x 0.4 inch
£3,759
Growing up with Coca Cola. after a work by James Rosenquist
Thomas Dellert
Print - 70 x 100 x 1 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch
£3,759