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
$8,652
Peace Fingers
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Design - 30.5 x 17.5 x 5.6 cm Design - 12 x 6.9 x 2.2 inch
$2,023
School Desk
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Sculpture - 28 x 31 x 9 cm Sculpture - 11 x 12.2 x 3.5 inch
$6,742
Unity - Obey Flower
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 74 x 74 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.1 x 29.1 x 0 inch
$1,348
JR
Ballerina in containers, on the edge, le Havre, France
JR
Print - 70 x 100 cm Print - 27.6 x 39.4 inch
$3,933
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
$669
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
$12,922
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
$2,135
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
$1,118
Inside Out, Times Square, Close Up, USA, 2013
JR
Print - 100 x 70 cm Print - 39.4 x 27.6 inch
$1,146
Finding Hope, Night View, Paris, France
JR
Print - 70 x 50 x 0.1 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 x 0 inch
$2,686
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
$2,247
Cleon Peterson
End Of Empire, Kantharos
Cleon Peterson
Print - 30.5 x 40.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 12 x 15.9 x 0 inch
$562
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
$6,742
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
$449
Les Nounous
Enfant Précoce / Francis Essoua Kalu
Painting - 140 x 140 x 2 cm Painting - 55.1 x 55.1 x 0.8 inch
$12,360
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
$6,742
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
$16,855
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
$10,113
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
$25,844
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
$22,811
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
$3,483
Absurde Censure
Charlotte Abramow
Photography - 20 x 25 x 2 cm Photography - 7.9 x 9.8 x 0.8 inch
$1,011
Tracey Emin
Silkscreened beach towel
Tracey Emin
Design - 106.7 x 175.3 x 0.5 cm Design - 42 x 69 x 0.2 inch
$1,000
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
$2,247
Par dessus les grillages 2
Hélène Deghilage
Painting - 100 x 130 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 inch
$4,719
Par dessus les grillages 3
Hélène Deghilage
Painting - 100 x 130 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 inch
$4,719
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
$4,045
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
$3,259
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
$24,721
Titanic mini museum
Thomas Dellert
Sculpture - 165 x 120 x 10 cm Sculpture - 65 x 47.2 x 3.9 inch
$8,428
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
$2,697
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
$4,495
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
$4,719
Hands up let's have a coke. after Andy Warhol
Thomas Dellert
Print - 40 x 100 x 1 cm Print - 15.7 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch
$4,719