The 20th century was a particularly fertile period for protest art, as artists responded with anger to the continuous wars and horrors they were witnessing. Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ responds to the bombing of the Spanish town during the Spanish Civil War. In this anti-war mural, Picasso highlights the devastation and suffering inflicted on innocent civilians. The monochromatic palette adds to the bleakness of the scene while several figures, such as the fallen soldier, embody the suffering and pain caused by war.
Art remained a potent medium for denouncing war, particularly during the Vietnam War era. The poster titled ‘‘And Babies’ is a harrowing piece that reveals the true human cost of conflict. It features a photograph from the My Lai Massacre, overlaid with semi-transparent blood-red text. The text poses the question "Q. And babies?" at the top, and answers "A. And babies." at the bottom. This quote is sourced from a CBS News interview with a U.S. soldier involved in the massacre. By using journalistic evidence, the artists exposed the grim realities of war. Fifty thousand copies of this poster were printed and distributed during protests, challenging the public to confront the brutal human consequences of the war.
Continuing into the 21st century, during the Black Lives Matter movement art activism has played a significant role in raising awareness, expressing solidarity, and advocating for social justice. Murals flooded the streets of America conveying powerful messages about racial injustice and police brutality. During mass protests, hundreds of thousands created their own placards spreading potent messages of injustice. Protest art creates unity and strives for justice, even in the bleakest of times.
In an increasingly visual world, art continues to play a vital role in social and political movements and is aided by social media giving artists a global platform to inspire and unite. Whether it’s a sea of placards, graffiti on a wall or framed in a museum, protest art is a testament to the enduring human desire for justice and peace.
