Art is an Outlet for the Oppressed
Art is an outlet for the oppressed. people who feel mistreated often express themselves through art. Art helps bring hurting people together. One does not have to be educated or artistic to understand art, therefore it is almost like a universal language. There are many examples of groups using art to express their sadness, concerns, and opinions throughout history. For example, the African American slaves would express their sadness through song. Song brought the slaves together because their songs are something that they all shared and understood the meaning of. The slaves could not do much about their situation so singing brought them some hope and a sense of unity. The woman's rights movement, in the early 1960s, also used art to get their protest publicity. These outspoken women would hang posters supporting their cause, but they would also make paintings. Their art form during this time was painting houses or apartments with women's body parts, legs, and sometimes hair. This was their way of showing that they are tired of men painting the public image of the woman only being the housewife. Art is still used in movements today.
A recent example of this is the Black Lives Matter movement. Once the horrible shooting of George Floyd occurred, communities realized that action had to take place. In addition to the protest, marches, and fundraisers taking action across the United States, art promoting and supporting this movement was also making its appearance. Cadex Herrera and Xena Goldman are two artists that focus on art that revolve around "social justice". After the death of George Floyd, this two talented artist came together to create the mural in honor of George Floyd and others that have lost their life due to police brutality. This mural was the example that leads others to create their own works of art to represent and support the "Black Lives Matter Movement".
In addition to the George Floyd mural, other local and well-known artists have been participating in this movement. Photographs with captions "We can't breathe" and "Am I next?" have been taken. Hollywood and Washington D.C. had local artists paint Black Lives Matter in big block letters along their roads, and different posters and street art have been making their appearances on city walls. These works of art bring the community together and help give the oppressed and hurting a voice.
I think that the points you made are extremely important! Art is often thought of as a fun form of expression or creativity. In reality this can often be very far from the truth. Art, throughout history, has been a force of hope and courage for those who were greatly oppressed and marginalized. Even looking at some of the greatest artists and writers throughout history, Beethoven, van Gogh, Edgar Allan Poe, and many, many more suffered profoundly serious mental and physical illnesses. Through their art, they were able to find an outlet and ways to cope and manage their illnesses.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really insightful blog post, and I think you made some excellent points. I really liked your calling art a universal language, I think that is incredibly true and a large part of what makes art so powerful. It speaks to each person in a different way and yet can still convey the same message. I think that art might be such a powerful outlet for the oppressed because of how well it conveys emotion, something that many other forms of communication struggle with.
ReplyDeletewow. I really loved what I just read. I got here because you commented on my post about art and culture and I must say we have the same thoughts in mind. I love the concept of art being a universal language because it is. I enjoyed the examples of slaves singing songs because they also used braids and other everyday things as a form of art. Reading this really had me connect the two so thank you. The photos you provided were spot on and shows what the power of art can do.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this blog post as well as the points you brought up. I for one, have never thought of art as a means of an outlet but what you stated makes so much sense. Art is a universal language and you portrayed it very well with everything you stated. I think art is different for each and every person which is why it is such a vast topic on what art is and how it makes people feel
ReplyDeleteI really love what you wrote Lenard! You made some really good points there and I totally agree with you on how art is a universal language. I'm astonished by how much art can help unite us and makes the world a better place. Not only racism and feminism, it also help raise awareness of environmental aspects such as pollution, global warming, and mass extinction and I think that is the beauty of making art.
ReplyDeleteI agree that music is a great outlet and coping mechanism for anyone who is hurting or struggling. To be able to express oneself in a different format other than simply speaking their feelings is a skill but is also something, to some, that is easier than the alternative. These were great examples of groups which you included which had to deal with oppression and used art/music to deal with the circumstances which they were faced with.
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