Artworks that Inspire Social Changes

In modern days in which many issues are happening, people are having more freedom to share their opinions to bring changes to the major issues of the society. Words, music, books are all great ways to spread important social messages but also art can also be used as a form of protest, to raise awareness about important issues, and even to call for change and social justice. Many artists spread their message on social changes thorough artworks. Let’s take a look at few.

Banksy is an anonymous England street artist, political activist, and film director. He is very famous for his street paintings and graffiti that contains hidden messages. Banksy’s artworks have been displayed all over the world in different cities.

This artwork shows an image of a girl and a soldier on the West Bank in Bethlehem. The graffiti portrays a young girl searching an armed, uniformed soldier who has his hands against the wall. The image depicts how violated human rights are in many countries and how abusive it is for innocent children to be searched by soldiers on a daily basis. By switching the roles of a girl and a soldier, Banksy ridicules the absurdity of any child having to go through hostility and suspicion.

This sculpture titled Non- violence, created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd after the murder of John Lennon in 1980. It is still regarded as a powerful symbol of peace. The message the painting tries to convey the rejection of violence. It also symbolizes the ongoing conflicts happening around gun privilege. The artwork can be found in many places in the world even in United Nations Headquarters.

Banksy’s artwork depicting birds holding signs saying “Go Back to Africa” is a powerful commentary on racism and immigration. By using birds, which are often symbols of freedom and migration, to convey this message, Banksy highlights the absurdity and cruelty of telling anyone to go back to their ancestral homeland. Through this art, Banksy spreads the important social issue of racism.