Political Art

Art and visual culture in relation to politics, public debate and collective memory. Features examine election imagery, contested exhibitions, national symbols and responses to conflict, with attention to the arguments made through images and their presentation.

Cosmic Gloss – From the Prismatic Buildings of Electropop to the Craters of Alternative Planets

Colour-treated portrait of Ed Harrington in blue, pink, orange and yellow.

From the shimmering landscapes of electropop to deeply personal reflections on identity, poetry, and the state of the world, Ed Harrington traces the creative journey behind Cosmic Gloss and Seismic Nought. In this first-person account, he explores the ideas, experiences, and emotions that have shaped his music and writing, offering an intimate look at the stories behind his latest releases and the artistic vision that continues to drive his work.

Banksy’s British Cool Mickey Snake Triumphs at Bonhams, Selling for £330,600

Banksy’s Mickey Snake, showing a mouse-shaped bulge in a brown and cream patterned snake.

Banksy’s Mickey Snake, a rare sculpture from the artist’s infamous Dismaland exhibition, stunned the art world this week by more than doubling its estimate at Bonhams. With its unsettling blend of pop culture and dark satire, the piece drew intense interest—and an even higher final bid. Here’s how this unexpected result is reshaping conversations around contemporary British art.

From Prank Calls to Provocative TV Drama: Exclusive Interview with Kamal Ahmed on Comedy, Creativity, and Crash the System | Part 1

Crash the System poster showing two red-lit faces and a partially cropped title.

In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, Kamal Ahmed—best known as one-half of the iconic comedy duo ‘The Jerky Boys’—opens up about his creative evolution from prank call comedy to the bold satire of his latest project, ‘Crash the System’. Reflecting on his New York upbringing, Grammy-nominated career, and his lifelong passion for storytelling, Ahmed shares how his comedic roots and artistic sensibilities inform his approach to tackling heavy themes like political polarization, covert racism, and societal dysfunction. With ‘Crash the System’, Ahmed proves that while his medium has shifted, his ability to entertain, challenge, and provoke remains as sharp as ever.

Brief History of Art in U.S. Elections: American Politics from Franklin to Trump

Jason Heuser’s “Warshington,” showing George Washington with a machine gun and an eagle before a U.S. flag.

From the ornate lithographs of the 19th century to the viral memes of today, art has been an indispensable weapon in the battle for political power in the United States. Campaign posters, political cartoons, and modern digital graphics have all played crucial roles in swaying public opinion and crafting candidates’ images. This article explores how art has been used to influence American politics, examining its evolution from early satire to contemporary digital media, and critiquing the effectiveness of iconic political art across history.

The Jewish Museum Cancels Two Jewish Artists Descended from Holocaust Survivors for Supporting Palestinians

Elias Mendel at Shalekhet by Menashe Kadishman in the Jewish Museum, Berlin.

The Jewish Museum in Vienna has disinvited the father-son artist duo, Elias and Gideon Mendel, from participating in the planned exhibition titled “I Am My Family: The Generations after the Holocaust” due to their criticism of the Israeli government. Despite the artists’ subsequent publication of an open letter on Instagram questioning the integrity of the museum’s leadership in determining the exhibition’s participants, the museum’s management has yet to issue a public statement on the matter. In an effort to address this regrettable turn of events, Elias Mendel, a London-born multidisciplinary Jewish artist, provided an exclusive interview to offer clarity on the situation.

The Art Of Peace: How Art Can Help Stop The War Between Israel and Palestine

Illustration of two figures embracing before a multicolored banner with a blue six-pointed star and red triangle.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the world’s most enduring disputes, has left deep scars on communities on both sides. Yet, amidst the political turbulence and historical grievances, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of art. Human creativity has the remarkable ability to transcend borders, cultures, and political ideologies, offering a unique path toward understanding and reconciliation. Despite the presence of war, hatred, and violence, artistic expression provides a lens through which individuals from diverse backgrounds can peer into the lives and narratives of the ‘other,’ fostering empathy and breaking down stereotypes. Art serves as a catalyst for dialogue, encouraging conversations that are often difficult within the rigid frameworks of modern political discourse. By engaging with art, people are encouraged to see beyond surface-level differences and recognize the shared humanity that unites them, potentially paving the way for mutual respect and coexistence.

UNBREAKABLE: Surviving Assault, Drugs & Prison – Exclusive Interview with Elizabeth Mikotowicz | Part 4

Portrait of a woman in front of a pink and purple painting with decorative lettering.

“I say this as a recovering addict – there is no better high for me than going to a concert”

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant, addicted to drugs by the medical system, then sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.

In this explosive interview, for the first time ever, Elizabeth shares her phenomenal life story with The World Art News!

It is an emotional, at times horrific, and unquestionably inspiring account of one woman’s survival against all odds.

UNBREAKABLE: Surviving Assault, Drugs & Prison – Exclusive Interview with Elizabeth Mikotowicz | Part 3

Portrait of Elizabeth Mikotowicz against a background of colourful painted flowers.

“I watched many women die”

“You suffer from things nobody should”

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant, addicted to drugs by the medical system, then sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.

In this explosive interview, for the first time ever, Elizabeth shares her phenomenal life story with The World Art News!

It is an emotional, at times horrific, and unquestionably inspiring account of one woman’s survival against all odds.

UNBREAKABLE: Surviving Assault, Drugs & Prison – Exclusive Interview with Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz | Part 2

Close-up portrait of Elizabeth Mikotowicz in front of her blue bird mural.

“I wanted to paint something on the prison walls that reminded women of the beauty outside”

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant, addicted to drugs by the medical system, then sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.

In this explosive interview, for the first time ever, Elizabeth shares her phenomenal life story with The World Art News!

It is an emotional, at times horrific, and unquestionably inspiring account of one woman’s survival against all odds.

UNBREAKABLE: Surviving Assault, Drugs & Prison – Exclusive Interview with Elizabeth Mikotowicz | Part 1

Composite of Elizabeth Mikotowicz’s portrait over painted purple wings, stars and blue waves.

“I was only 20 the first time I was rag-dolled around the room and sent flying backwards smashing the back of my head on a radiator”

Artist Elizabeth Mikotowicz was nearly beaten to death while being pregnant, addicted to drugs by the medical system, then sent to prison where she was regularly humiliated and treated as a slave.

In this explosive interview, for the first time ever, Elizabeth shares her phenomenal life story with The World Art News!

It is an emotional, at times horrific, and unquestionably inspiring account of one woman’s survival against all odds.