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!

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Painting, Yellow Line, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Painting - 121.9 x 91.4 x 5.1 cm Painting - 48 x 36 x 2 inch

€965 €772

Painting, Le bain, Béatrice Terra

Béatrice Terra

Painting - 65 x 81 x 2 cm Painting - 25.6 x 31.9 x 0.8 inch

€2,200

Sculpture, L.o.v.e, Maurizio Cattelan

Maurizio Cattelan

Sculpture - 40 x 18 x 18 cm Sculpture - 15.7 x 7.1 x 7.1 inch

€1,300

Sculpture, Deeply connected, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Sculpture - 81.3 x 41.9 x 2.5 cm Sculpture - 32 x 16.5 x 1 inch

€860 €688

Photography, Entrelazar 202, Javier Rey

Javier Rey

Photography - 50 x 39 x 0.3 cm Photography - 19.7 x 15.4 x 0.1 inch

€790

Sculpture, Giants, High jump in Rio, JR

JR

Sculpture - 99 x 55 x 20 cm Sculpture - 39 x 21.7 x 7.9 inch

€10,000

Design, Breeze - Arm Chair, Poovi Art

Poovi Art

Design - 73.7 x 65 x 82 cm Design - 29 x 25.6 x 32.3 inch

€5,704 €4,563

Painting, Work in progress, Daru

Daru

Painting - 68 x 83 x 3 cm Painting - 26.8 x 32.7 x 1.2 inch

€1,900

Sculpture, The Wedding, Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin

Sculpture - 11.4 x 10.2 x 5 cm Sculpture - 4.5 x 4 x 2 inch

€14,974

Design, Spilt Rocker, Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons

Design - 7 x 8 x 7 cm Design - 2.8 x 3.1 x 2.8 inch

€290

Fine Art Drawings, Que Font Ces Gens, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Fine Art Drawings - 15.5 x 9.5 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 6.1 x 3.7 x 0.1 inch

€82,000

Sculpture, Entrelazar 5, Javier Rey

Javier Rey

Sculpture - 32 x 32 x 8 cm Sculpture - 12.6 x 12.6 x 3.1 inch

€878

Print, Moiré 1, Anish Kapoor

Anish Kapoor

Print - 72.4 x 96 cm Print - 28.5 x 37.8 inch

€8,995

Print, Bomb Hugger, Banksy

Banksy

Print - 70 x 50 cm Print - 27.6 x 19.7 inch

€71,873

Sculpture, I'm Free, Daru

Daru

Sculpture - 41 x 41 x 5 cm Sculpture - 16.1 x 16.1 x 2 inch

€860

Painting, Francine, Patricia Simsa

Patricia Simsa

Painting - 73 x 60 x 4 cm Painting - 28.7 x 23.6 x 1.6 inch

€1,850

Photography, Self Portrait R, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Photography - 21.5 x 25.5 x 0.1 cm Photography - 8.5 x 10 x 0 inch

€2,500

Photography, Riverbed, Cheng Chang Wu

Cheng Chang Wu

Photography - 100 x 150 x 0.3 cm Photography - 39.4 x 59.1 x 0.1 inch

€2,282

Sculpture, Le marin, Patricia Simsa

Patricia Simsa

Sculpture - 155 x 45 x 30 cm Sculpture - 61 x 17.7 x 11.8 inch

€6,000

Print, Nou ka chapé, Milan Sanka

Milan Sanka

Print - 29.7 x 42 x 0.1 cm Print - 11.7 x 16.5 x 0 inch

€150

Print, Phiole, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 38 x 28.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11.2 x 0 inch

€960

Print, Vieux Faust, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 38 x 28.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11.2 x 0 inch

€1,600

Print, Sator, Salvador Dali

Salvador Dali

Print - 38 x 28.5 x 0.1 cm Print - 15 x 11.2 x 0 inch

€2,200