Visual Arts

Visual Arts

"What do you think an artist is? He’s a political being, constantly alive to heartrending, fiery, or happy events, to which he responds in every way. No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war, for attack and defense against the enemy."

Pablo Picasso

The revolutionary realism of Caravaggio
Tuesday, 14 September 2021 10:10

The revolutionary realism of Caravaggio

Written by
Jenny Farrell discusses the work of Caravaggio, who revolutionised European art. Image above: Judith Beheading Holofernes Born 450 years ago, on 29 September 1571, Caravaggio lived and worked in Rome. The development of the new middle class of traders, merchants, artisans – the bourgeoisie – brought with it the dawn…
K2_PUBLISHED_ON Tuesday, 06 July 2021 14:17

Statues, Context and Historical Narrative: Statues Glorifying Colonialism are a Bad Idea!

Written by
Stuart Cartland discusses the recent attacks on statues in Canada The toppling of the statues of British monarchs in Canada recently is a hugely symbolic moment of reflection on the legacy of British colonialism. It is also feeding a wider anti-woke backlash from the right. Following on from the toppling,…
The Colescott Chronicles Part I: breaking free of the shackles of colour blindness and abstract art
K2_PUBLISHED_ON Thursday, 17 June 2021 11:58

The Colescott Chronicles Part I: breaking free of the shackles of colour blindness and abstract art

Written by
Dennis Broe presents the first of a two-part topical study of Robert Colescott, whose politically committed art tackled issues of unequal racial and gender representation, and the history of racial exploitation and domination in the U.S. One of the founding members of New Black Art just reaped the rewards of…
Albrecht Dürer – Champion of the Peasants
K2_PUBLISHED_ON Saturday, 15 May 2021 13:23

Albrecht Dürer – Champion of the Peasants

Written by
Jenny Farrell writes about Albrecht Dürer, who made art in supported of the democratic movements of his time Albrecht Dürer was born 550 years ago, on 21 May 1471, during the Renaissance, a time of upheaval that rang in the early modern age. With improved production methods, industry and trade…
One Nation Under CCTV
Saturday, 03 April 2021 08:17

One Nation Under CCTV

Written by
Gabriel Rosenstock presents a bilingual tanka in Irish and English, the 31 syllables configured as 5-7-5-7-7, written in response to the above work of street art by Banksy. i am watching YouBeloved, You're watching methey are watching us keep Your eyes open, won't you when You're awake and asleep táim…
The radical imagery of William Blake
Tuesday, 02 March 2021 13:10

The radical imagery of William Blake

Written by
Caroline Anjali Ritchie discusses William Blake, trees, and 18th-century radicalism. Image above: The Divine Image, from Songs of Innocence and of Experience Poet and artist William Blake was energetically engaged with the political thought of his day. His ties to the radical publisher Joseph Johnson and associated figures such as…
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