The 50 Most Political Art Pieces of the Past 15 Years

These works are more than just pretty to look at.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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All art is political in the sense that it engages society in some way, either influencing or influenced by it. But some works speak more directly to concerns relating to human rights, corruption, the distribution of class, wealth or power—not every artist is moved by beauty. At times, these more political works are lacking of the awareness of political directives but cause a stir. Or perhaps a work is directly aimed at a political cause, an endorsement, or message. Then again, the medium or risk of a particular artwork can be political as well, directly or subversively. If this all sounds convoluted, it is—but that’s indicative of this culturally confusing time we live in. Not to worry. We’ve parsed out The 50 Most Political Art Pieces of the Past 10 Years from our favorite artist-activists. Paint is power!

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50. Jules De Balincourt, "Land of Many Uses," 2003

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49. Steve Lambert, "Capitalism Works for Me!," 2011

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48. Walead Beshty, ", Transperancy (Negative)[Kodak NC Color Film: May 8 - May 18th, 2008 ORD/LHF LHR/IAD IAD/JFK LGA/DCA DCA/ORD]," 2009

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47. Vik Muniz, "Pictures of Junk," 2006-2009

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46. White Pillows Collective, "Salute to the Game, Re-directing Traffic," 2010

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45. SUPERFLEX, "Power Toilets," 2004 - ongoing

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44. "Your Land/My Land: Election '12, Jonathan Horowitz," 2012

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43. Wu Yuren, "The Sparks Program," 2008

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42. Liu Bolin, "Bulldozer, Hiding in the City No. 71," 2008

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41. Jo Seub, "Who Wants To Live Forever," 2008

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40. Terry Richardson, "Portraits of President Barack Obama," 2012

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39. Robbie Conal, "Mitt Bubble," 2012

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38. Jill Greenberg, "Portraits of John McCain," 2008

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37. The Yes Men, "Bhopal Disaster Dow Chemical Hoax," 2004

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36. Joshua Allen Harris, "Installations," 2012

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35. Fred Tommaselli, "Big Raven," 2008

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34. Josephine Meckseper, "CDU CSU," 2001

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33. Imran Qureshi, "The Roof Garden Commission," 2013

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32. Alec Soth, "The Last Days of W," 2008

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31. "Conflict Kitchen," 2010

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30. William Powhida, "How the New Museum Committed Suicide with Banality," 2009

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29. Tino Sehgal, "This Progress," 2010

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28. Lisa Anne Auerbach, "Do Ask, Do Tell," 2010

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27. Theaster Gates, "In The Event Of A Race Riot," 2011

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26. D.H., "Heart of the Beast," 2011

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25. Barbara Kruger, "Art Matters campaign with the Los Angeles Fund for Public Education," 2012

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24. Guerilla Girls, "Michelle Bachmann Billboard," 2012

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23. Francis Alÿs, "Re-enactments," 2001

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22. Chris Ofili, "Holy Virgin Mary," 1999

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21. Jitish Kallat, "Public Notice 3," 2010

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20. Laurie Jo Reynolds, "Tamms Year Ten," 2008 - ongoing

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19. Zhao Zhao, "broken officer sculpture," 2011

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18. Various, "Showpaper Box Drop," 2010

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17. Emily Jacir, "Material for a Film," 2005 - ongoing

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16. Rebecca Bellmore, "Worth ( - Statement of Defence) ," 2010

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15. Boris Mikhailov, "Case History," 1997-1998, 2011

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14. Atlas Group, "My Neck is Thinner Than a Hair: Engines," 1996 - 2004

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13. Venice Biennale Goers, "Occupy Gezi Solidarity Demonstrations at the Venice Biennale," 2013

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12. JR, "Face2Face," 2007

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11. Banksy, "West Bank Wall," 2005

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10. David Cerny, "Shark," 2005

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9. Shepard Fairey, "Obama Hope," 2008

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8. Legal Battle With Associated Press by Shepard Fairey, 2009-2012

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7. Pussy Riot, "Royal Moscow Cathedral Performance," 2012

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6. Voina, "F**k For The Heir Puppy Bear!," 2008

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5. SABER, "Aerial Graffiti," 2012

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4. George W. Bush, "Self Portraits," 2013

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3. Cecilia Gimenez, "Restoration of Ecce Homo," 2012

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2. Ai Weiwei, "So Sorry/Remembering," 2008/2009

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1. Wafaa Bilal, "...and Counting," 2010

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