Art That Broke Social Bounds

Liberation. Freedom. Expression. Art.

Even today, in a time where technology and modernisation within society is prominent and ever-growing, the age-old question of why art is important remains unanswered. Perhaps, it is because art is perceived in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps it is because art encourages us to think. Or perhaps, it is because humankind is drawn to stories that tell themselves. To many, it is within the nature of art to provoke thought, expose social problems and redefine limits. However, within the last century, certain artists have shattered social bounds. Therefore, in congruence with May’s theme of “Art Through the Ages”, let’s take a look at two modern artists who built their legacies through unconventional methods of expression.

To begin with the obvious, let’s look at Banksy. Banksy is a British painter, graffiti artist, filmmaker and activist who initially gained popularity by creating street art. However, throughout the last ten years, he has become one of the most well-known modern artists in the world. He is recognized for his unapologetic activism; he once commented on poverty by painting a live elephant, saying that “there is an elephant in the room...20 billion people live below the poverty line”. He has also commented on issues like violence, war, Brexit, immigration and pollution through his art. His most well known artistic scheme took place in 2018 when one of his paintings, “Girl with Balloon”, was sold for 1,040,000 pounds at an auction. Shortly after its sale, the painting began to slide down the frame through a pre-installed shredder. It was then renamed “Love is in the Bin” (you can watch the video here!). This was an attempt to criticise art collectors for purchasing art that “belongs to the public”. Another one of his pieces sold for 16,800,000 pounds (!!!), with all proceeds being donated to the NHS. Banksy has broken bounds by highlighting the fine line between art and vandalism and by sometimes even intertwining the two. His combination of wit and politics in his seemingly simple pieces has allowed him to raise awareness surrounding complex problems.

Another artist who redefined artistic norms is Cindy Sherman. Sherman is an American photographer who uses her images to critique gender, class and identity. She utilizes makeup and costume to highlight the stereotypes and objectification surrounding women. One of her most well-known pieces, “Untitled #96”, shows a teenager lying on the floor holding a newspaper. This was sold for 3,890,000 dollars, which was the record auction price for a photograph at the time. Critics state that Sherman’s images encourage thinking. Her work carries an air of mystery, her pieces not even having titles, forcing viewers to think about what she is trying to convey. Therefore, they are able to create their own stories and interpretations. Another piece of work she is well-known for is “Untitled #92”, which depicts herself crouching on the ground looking anxious. This is a reference to Hollywood’s damsel-in-distress stereotype, which is perhaps her way of commenting on gender roles and the expectation that women need rescuing. Sherman’s photographs shattered social bounds by ironically portraying the realities of modern-day life, which encourages those who view her work to understand the extent of deep-rooted problems in society, such as misogyny. Overall, Sherman reminds us that a picture is, indeed, a thousand words.

Art, in all its subjectivity, is an ever-growing component of culture. The works of Banksy and Sherman are symbolic of the era we live in; an era that enables truth and transparency and strives for justice. Therefore, through their redefining of artistic limits, they have inspired a new generation of artists to follow in their footsteps and continue challenging social norms. Their art that broke bounds has truly changed the world...

By Tamara Almoayed 12F