When Activism Harms Art: A Question of Impact and Intent

In a world filled with urgent causes like climate change, inequality, human rights abuse— it’s

easy to understand why people feel compelled to act. The need for change is immediate, and

the desire to be heard is intense. But as activism grows more visible, some turn to more direct

forms of protest: vandalising museum pieces, throwing soup on priceless paintings, or

defacing cultural artefacts in the name of protest. It’s a powerful, striking image, no doubt,

but it raises a question worth thinking over: What happens when the very tools of

communication, art, history, and culture become the target of the message?

Art Is a Shared Language

Art has always been a mirror of humanity. It reflects our joys, our fears, our struggles, and

our triumphs. Each piece tells a story, one that transcends time, culture, and even language.

When you stand before a painting or a sculpture, you’re not just looking at an object; you’re

engaging with a human experience. A moment frozen in time or an idea that speaks across

generations, art has the wonderful, rare ability to transcend barriers and bring people together.

But when we vandalise these pieces in the name of activism, we must ask ourselves if we are

truly challenging the systems that hurt us, or damaging the very means by which we connect?

There is power in art, not just in its beauty but in its ability to convey deep truths about the

world. Art is part of our collective heritage, something that belongs to all of us. It’s one of the

few things that reminds us of our shared humanity. And in times of crisis, when everything

seems uncertain, we cannot afford to risk losing this connection. When we damage these

pieces, we’re not just attacking an object. We are disrupting a bond that unites us across

generations and cultures.

There is a fine line between disruption and destruction. Disruption is a hallmark of activism.

It's what grabs attention, it’s what forces people to think, and what refuses to be ignored.

Disruption pushes the conversation forward, but it’s essential to recognise when disruption

turns into destruction. There is a difference between making people stop and think and

pushing them to turn away. And when the target of disruption is art, a representation of

shared human experience, we risk losing support.

It’s easy to understand the urge to make a bold statement when faced with crises that demand

urgent action. But when the action taken is to deface a painting or destroy an artefact, the

message becomes muddled. Instead of forcing society to confront the issue at hand, it risks

shutting down the very dialogue needed to make lasting change. By harming art, we may

unintentionally alienate potential allies, pushing them away at the very moment when their

support could be crucial.

The truth is, vandalism isn’t just a symbolic act. It’s a physical break in the fabric that ties us

all together, the shared love of beauty, the appreciation for human creativity, the

understanding that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Art is not the enemy; it is

the very thing we are fighting to preserve. It represents all that we are trying to protect:

humanity, culture, history, and, yes, even the planet.

Rethinking the Approach: Can We Disrupt Without Destroying?

The power of activism lies in its ability to spark change, not just through loud actions but

through thought provoking conversation, connection, and collective action. The world is not

won by noise alone, but by the willingness to make space for others to listen, reflect, and act.

Activists have always found ways to make their voices heard in bold and sometimes

unconventional ways. Yet, as we think about the future of activism, perhaps the most

important question we can ask is not just how we disrupt, but what we risk losing in the

process.

If activism is about preserving the future, then shouldn’t we also consider the value of

preserving what connects us to the past? By engaging with art, we engage with more than just

historical objects; we engage with each other. The greatest movements for change have often

been those that united people. Art has the power to do this. It speaks to something deeply

human in all of us, regardless of who we are or where we come from.

"So, as we fight for a better world, can we honor and preserve the things that remind us of

what we are fighting for? Can we recognise the value of the art that has long been a mirror

for humanity’s greatest fears, hopes, and dreams? Rather than destroying it, we must use it to

help build a future where we all have a voice and a place in the conversation."