Throughout history, artists have used their work to draw attention to pressing societal and environmental issues, influencing public perception and inspiring change. Whether through the dramatic landscapes of J.M.W. Turner, the protest art of contemporary street artists, or the evocative works of Prue Bishop, art remains a powerful medium for advocacy.
Historical Art as a Form of Protest
J.M.W. Turner: Painting the Travesties of His Time
J.M.W. Turner, renowned for his luminous and atmospheric paintings, was not only a master of landscape art but also a subtle commentator on societal injustices. His 1840 masterpiece, “The Slave Ship”, is a haunting indictment of the transatlantic slave trade. Depicting enslaved individuals thrown overboard into stormy waters, Turner’s painting was inspired by the Zong massacre of 1781, in which a ship’s crew drowned more than a hundred enslaved Africans to claim insurance. The painting’s violent swirls of color and chaotic composition evoke the brutality of the act, making it an early example of art’s ability to challenge political and moral injustices. It was arguably a catalyst towards British abolition.
Turner also explored the environmental forces shaping human history. His 1835 painting "The Thames above Waterloo Bridge" depicted the polluted skies over London. It featured hazy, smog filled scenes which were likely caused by Britain's industrialisation. These works show how art can use historical or natural themes to convey deeper messages about human vulnerability and the impact of civilization’s choices.
Graffiti: The People's Protest Art
Graffiti has been a form of public resistance for centuries. In Pompeii, ancient graffiti featured political slogans, satire, and personal grievances, demonstrating that walls have always been canvases for public expression. Throughout history, graffiti has been used to challenge authority, from the White Rose Movement’s anti-Nazi slogans during World War II to the politically charged artwork that adorned the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
In contemporary times, street artists like Banksy have turned walls into platforms for urgent messages on war, surveillance, and climate change. Artists such as Blu and other muralists have created large-scale pieces highlighting the consequences of deforestation, pollution, and rising sea levels. Eco-graffiti, a newer form of environmental protest art using moss or biodegradable paints, merges activism with sustainability, ensuring that even the act of resistance leaves no harmful impact.
Art and Climate Change: A Contemporary Perspective
Building on this legacy, contemporary artists continue to use visual storytelling to confront environmental challenges. Prue Bishop, through her innovative Sculptural Watercolour® technique, creates works that illustrate the stark realities of climate change—melting glaciers, rising sea levels, droughts, floods, and wildfires. Her paintings, much like Turner’s, combine emotional depth with environmental urgency, transforming scientific data into compelling visual narratives.
Just as graffiti brings immediacy and rawness to activism, Prue Bishop’s art offers a more intimate yet equally powerful reflection on the climate crisis. Where graffiti demands attention in the public sphere, Prue’s works invite contemplation, drawing viewers into the beauty and tragedy of our changing world. Whether painted on a city wall or displayed in a gallery, these artistic approaches serve the same purpose: to provoke awareness, ignite conversation, and inspire action.
Conclusion: Art as an Agent of Change
From Turner’s searing indictments of human cruelty to modern-day street art’s powerful social critiques, and Prue Bishop’s evocative depictions of climate transformation, art has consistently been a voice for change. It serves as both a mirror and a catalyst, reflecting the challenges of its time while urging society toward a more just and sustainable future. As climate change accelerates, - whilst at the same time industrialists are turning their backs on Net Zero Pledges - the role of artists in shaping public consciousness becomes more critical than ever—proving that, whether on canvas or concrete, art remains one of the most enduring and impactful tools for highlighting pressing issues of the day.
To explore how Prue Bishop’s Sculptural Watercolour® captures the realities of climate change and inspires reflection, visit her collection here and experience the depth and beauty of her work firsthand.
How Can Art Amplify Efforts to Address Climate Change?