Although social justice art is not a topic exclusive to the 20th and
21st centuries, the distribution of information regarding
controversial art with gender, race, sexual, and/or environmental
themes has increased with the proliferation of media. Choose an
example of a social justice work of art from the 20th or 21st
centuries from any discipline of the humanities (music, literature,
sculpture, film, television, etc.). Then, address the following:
• Identify the work and the medium.
• Based on your example, to what extent does this work of art
make a social contribution?
• What aesthetic value does the work have? How does it
reflect the human condition? How does it relate to your life?
• Has this work ever been censored? If so, explain the
circumstances.
• Are governments ever justified in censoring art? Why or why
not?
• Examine some of the influences of this work of art. What
was the public reaction to this work? Does it effectively
portray its message?
• Argue whether or not this work should be considered art.
Explain why using terms learned in this course.
• Include an accompanying statement from the artist(s) and a
statement from a critic to support your points.
