One for sorrow, two for joy

Jo Chew
Despard Gallery

Activism in the arts is a complex thing. There is art that is strident and obviously taking a position, and this is important, but it makes it easy for those opposing to dismiss it, by saying, near literally, that such art is ‘too political’ or that it’s ‘one-dimensional’. It’s interesting when this occurs, because it’s a great way of not engaging with whatever the art is saying (saying being a bit reductive, but I am using words here, so I’m going to have to do things like that now and again. Sory/Not Sorry).

Saying something is ‘too political’ is fascinating though. Have you heard anyone say that? I have, quite often. I wonder what it means, actually. I am genuinely unsure the more I consider the phrase, used dismissively and thrown away, oblivious to the intense weight of those words.

I am even more fascinated by the assertion that art is not political.