The Artist as Social Worker vs. The Artist as Social Wanker (2013)
By Anthony Schrag
This paper briefly explores the problematic notion of the “artist as a social worker” and aims to develop an (ethical) counterpoint to this position via Mouffe’s concept of agonism.
It begins by tracing some conceptual frameworks that have posited art as an ameliorative force within the public realm, discusses the complications of “intention” embedded in language, as well as draws attention to the difference between these terms that are often used interchangeably. It ends with an exploration of three agonistic artworks, the last being the author’s own. It hopes to present a productive counterpoint to the notion of the “artist as social worker,” as well as provide insight to these discussions from a practitioners point of view.
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The article 'The Artist as Social Worker Vs. The Artist as Social Wanker' was first published by Anthony Schrag on 28 November 2013 and can be found in its entirety here.