Peter Saul and Political Art

Possibly one of the most symbiotic cultural relationships of all time is the one between art and politics. Both feed into each other and thrive on the other. Many moments in history art has risen to the occasion in times of turmoil or social unrest. No time was this more apparent in American history than the art produced during and in reaction to the Vietnam War. This was "art at its most tendenscious" argued Rhodes Art History Professor David McCarthy at an MCA lecture last week.
McCarthy spoke specifically of the artist Peter Saul who began his controversial politically charged body of work at the great war's early beginnings. The california artist's work voiced a strong opposition to the war that reached broad audiences across the country. Saul's paintings sided with the Vietnamese and their resistance to western imperialism and highlighted the barbaric acts of American troops on their island.
A visual representation of these perspectives on the war played and integral role in motivating anti-opposition quickly. Although Saul was one of the earlier artists to strongly voice his opposition to war, other visual artists, playwrights, and musicians began to rally protestors as well. These artistic venues provided by Saul and others mobilized a population around a political cause
eventually influnecing the US government to end their efforts in Vietnam.
Artists fill a very important void/gap between the public sector and their government, and it is this idea the Dr. McCarthy made very clear throughout his lecture. They often bring to light controversial or unknown truths long before the public realizes it. It is in this way that they help to influence and motivate people and politics. It has always been an important part of a nation's culture to use political art- whether it is used by the government to influence its people or by people to influence their government, its an essential part of the human experience and an extremely power part as well.