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Artist Advocacy and the Relevance of Global Art

Nelson Partoredjo
Write About Art 6
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It is often said that ‘art is a language’—a language that everyone has the potential to speak and understand. As Mary Mothersill, a professor of philosophy, wrote, ‘the phrase ‘Language of Art’ has been a commonplace in the literature of criticism for at least two hundred years’ (The Journal of Philosophy, 1965). Although every language can be understood and spoken, the ability of art to promote relevant themes of cultural, racial and social import, to a universal audience, is truly special, and should be further embraced in contemporary society. Where mainstream media provide a forceful means of advocacy, the messages of the artworks I will discuss are more subtle and nuanced. After a thorough analysis of several bodies of work, it is clear that this subtlety is what makes art a more expressive medium, and that increased consideration for artworks would immensely benefit society. 

Australian artist Anne Zahalka appropriates well-known historical Australian paintings to create new meanings, reflecting on gender ideology and Australian history. Zahalka explores and questions the way in which ideas about Australian national identity have been constructed through visual imagery. Her interest in appropriating iconic, nationalistic, historical Australian images of male dominance, to contest the historical exclusion of women, demonstrates her advocacy of this cause. 

One of Zahalka’s best known works, The Breakaway (1985), addresses the masculine, hegemonic culture of Australia that permeates the past and present. In this work, Zahalka ‘re-interprets’ the well-known A Break Away! (1891) by Tom Roberts, to expose the historical discrimination of women (National Gallery of Victoria). The original piece by Roberts depicts a man on horseback attempting to redirect a mob of thirsty, stampeding sheep before they drown or... The rest of this article is available to subscribers of Eyeline

Ah Xian, Metaphysica: Maitreya, 2007.

Ah Xian, Metaphysica: Maitreya, 2007. Bronze and brass, 58.5 x 42.7 x 24cm. Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation 2010. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. Collection: Queensland Art Gallery.