Art history

Art and Politics in Britain 2008-Now

Module code: V4072
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay

When politics is conducted through images, the cultural field is weaponised and artists seek social effects beyond the gallery, where do we draw the line between art and politics? On this module, you'll explore this question by placing contemporary art in Britain in the context of wider visual cultures.

Key themes include:

• art and politics in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis
• intersections of political, economic and cultural forces in visual art
• art’s role in re-examining the existing social order
• the broader impact of visual cultures beyond the art world.

You'll examine how political and cultural factors have influenced contemporary British art and visual culture, encouraging critical reflection on their social implications.

Module learning outcomes

• Analyse and critique a range of contemporary art projects.
• Draw meaningful links between art and relevant political, social, economic and cultural contexts
• Formulate and communicate ideas through structured argument.
• Identify and draw insights from a range of relevant primary and secondary sources to support an argument