The last few years of global politics have been shaped by numerous conflicts and high levels of tension, developments that strongly affect other sectors of society. Among these sectors, culture has been particularly prominent in this scenario, becoming a battlefield for geopolitical disputes. As political conflicts deepen, artistic expression is increasingly being reshaped by federal cuts, the rise of nationalist sentiment, and the growing pressure to take political stances.
Sanctions: a tool of control
According to The New York Times, a third of U.S. museums have had government grants or contracts canceled this year. These figures show how the new political administration approaches cultural institutions, often framing them as incompatible with its political agenda. This political interference has contributed to a climate of widespread self-censorship by creating financial obstacles for artistic expression.
The rise of “illiberal” cultural policies has also reduced public spending on the arts. As stated by UNESCO, public investment in cultural sectors represents less than 0.6% of global GDP and continues to decline. In addition, nationalist ideals drive these movements through attempts to silence historical forms of artistic expression in favor of reinforcing nationalist identity. A model of this system is the administration of Donald Trump, which has rejected diversity, inclusion, and anything associated with “rewriting history,” even within mass culture, since his first day in office.
The art around the conflicts
The weaponization of culture is leading the artistic world into polarization and fragmentation. As indicated by the Green European Journal: “in today’s political climate, these vital human endeavours (art and culture) are both devalued and instrumentalised”. This dynamic contributes to a tense atmosphere, surrounded by rivalry and conflict within and beyond the artistic sphere. However, artistic expression cannot be reduced to conflict alone.
Tensions between Iranian communities and Afghan refugees, for example, changed the reality for those affected by the conflict. Distinct religious and political views generated mutual distrust, and ideological tensions emerged. But artistic expression, besides being used as a tool of separation, can also challenge hostility.
As reported by the UN, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Iranian government brought together local artists and volunteers to transform hate messages written on the walls of the Saadi neighborhood into striking and colorful murals. The neighborhood is home to many Afghan refugees who had experienced ongoing tensions in their coexistence with Iranians.
The hostilities that had become routine between Iranians and Afghans were gradually replaced by a more harmonious relationship, expressed through art during times of war. In this context, culture takes on a new role, acting as a form of resistance against conflict rather than serving as a tool to propagate ideologies of exclusion.
The importance of taking a stance
In the artistic world, the artist’s viewpoint is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s political climate. At a delicate moment such as the one currently shaping the relationship between politics and culture, audiences increasingly expect artists and cultural producers to express their views on current political issues. In this context, silence is often interpreted as a position in itself, as an artist’s refusal to speak may suggest that they are comfortable with the environment in which they live — one that has not proven favorable to artistic expression.
Artist Bad Bunny, for example, recently gained widespread attention following the release of an album featuring songs that criticize the treatment of Latino immigrants in the United States. His music received international recognition, earning applause from audiences around the world for its strong political expression and message of resistance against the silencing of Latino culture.
On the other hand, rapper Nicki Minaj surprised her audience by speaking out on political issues. The singer defended positions aligned with the American right wing and expressed full support for the current president. After voicing criticism of progressive agendas, Minaj aligned herself with a strand of conservatism often associated with the censorship of various forms of artistic expression. Unlike Bad Bunny, her statements generated intense controversy and public backlash, including online petitions against the artist.
As political tensions continue to shape cultural spaces, artistic expression increasingly becomes both a target and a form of resistance. Whether through protest, historical memory, or public positioning, art remains deeply connected to the social and political realities surrounding it. In a climate marked by polarization and ideological disputes, preserving artistic freedom becomes not only a cultural concern, but also a political one.
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This article was edited by Maria Alice Primo.
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