The War of Art: A History of Artists' Protest in America

by Lauren O'Neill-Butler

The history of art activism in the how art and artist have changed the world

O'Neill-Butler argues that the braiding of art and politics is an essential, yet overlooked, part of America's cultural history.  That artists have long fought hard against injustices; that art itself can in fact “do more.”

Recent decades have seen an explosion of art activism, but little discussion of this deep history. The War of Art charts the post-war story of those who have used their artistic practise as a form of political protest. The book offers portraits of the key individuals, and groups of art activists who have campaigned for solidarity, housing, LGBTQ+, and indigenous injustice,  the exclusion of women in the art world, the call for AIDS awareness. This the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC), Women Artists in Revolution (WAR), David Wojnarowicz's work with ACTUP, Top Value Television (TVTV), Agnes Denes, Edgar Heap of Birds, Dyke Action Machine!, fierce pussy, the Project Row Houses, and Nan Goldin's Prescription Addiction Intervention Now (P.A.I.N.).

The book will be valuable to anyone interested in the history of artistic activism in the US and the global political and aesthetic debates of the 1960s to present. In contrast to financialised art market and mega-star artists, the book explores the power of collective efforts, and the uses of art as a means of resistance.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Politics, History, Activism

240 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not super sure how to rate this because I have some really mixed feelings about it. And they entirely based on personal preference, so that makes it all the more complicated for me.

I can get so into a non-fiction book, I love to learn things, especially if they align with a niche or special interest. I went to art school, so reading about art is very up my alley. But this wasn't necessarily a book for me.

This was full of so much information, but it was written like a textbook or a thesis essay. It was just so dense and difficult to understand even though I knew all of the references. I prefer non-fiction books to be written in an easier to digest kind of way. I don't like to feel like I am being talked down to when reading (especially when reading about something I already know a lot about). I prefer a more conversational non-fiction writing style, like Amanda Montell or John Green. But that is totally a personal preference thing.

I also wish that it covered more of history. People have been using art as a way to send a message since the dawn of time, but this pretty much just covered the timeline of the second half of the twentieth century (mid-1950's to mid-2010's). I wanted to see more of history, not just things people that are still alive can remember from not that long ago.

I did think it was really cool how pretty much all modern protest is based on the same statements, just reused to fit that current situation. To me, that says a lot about our world (country) and how we communicate, how specific words mean more to us than others.

I just wished this book was more in the style I like. I would've enjoyed it a lot more. But I can totally see this being used as a great and informative reference for someone's essay or project. Or if you just like reading more textbook-feeling non-fiction. It really is so full of information, photos, examples, and references (there's like 30 pages of reference in the back). And this is a very short book, page-wise.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Mar]

This is the first book to go on my Did Not Finish Shelf. It will most likely remain there as I do not plan to pick it up ever again unless I’m really looking to put myself through the same walls of text that I encounter in the theses and dissertations that I have to read for research. The first chapter is promising and honestly quite beautiful in how it is able to tie Wojnarowicz’s ‘If I die…’ to different struggles and protests. The second chapter immediately loses this and becomes a lame textbook chapter about the feminist efforts against big museums, and from then on it just carries on as long essays.

I questioned my own literacy reading this because I just wanted to see more images instead of just reading but after seeing the reviews I realize that a book about art should definitely include more…art. It is not the type of non-fiction book that traps you and makes you engage with art in a meaningful way, just full of acronyms, dates and names. Truly so sad considering how much I loved the first chapter, if it existed on its own it would absolutely be 5 stars.

[Joseph Murabito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting history of the connection between art and activism. Unfortunately, it did read like a college thesis.

[Bunny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review

Well.

You know. When you read a book called The War of Art. And it's specifically about Artists' Protests in America.

You expect there to be....art. In the book.

And the author ABSOLUTELY knew this, because the start of the book features multiple pictures of variations on the "If I die" protest sign that everyone familiar with the AIDS epidemic has seen before, reimagined for both BLM and Trans rights protests.

This really psyched me up for the book, and then I immediately got crushed by a giant house out of nowhere and someone stole my ruby slippers because WOW, is this a slog and a half to get through. Extremely dry, reads like a college thesis.

It makes absolutely no sense. This is a waste of a gorgeous premise.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful reminder of what art can do.

The War of Art is an insightful and timely look at the long and often underappreciated history of artistic activism in America. O’Neill-Butler makes a strong case for the role of artists as agents of change, weaving together decades of protests, movements, and creative resistance.

The book feels well-researched and passionate, and it sheds light on stories that deserve far more attention. It’s not always a light read, but it’s deeply rewarding if you’re interested in how art intersects with politics and social justice.

Overall, this is a valuable and thought-provoking read. Four stars for its depth, its relevance, and its ability to inspire.

[Dysha Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher to giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I am into art and my background is social work so I was excited to read this. Unfortunately, the way this is written FELT like I was reading it for a college class and I was not a fan of that. It was quite research/citation heavy and more informative than a social commentary piece. It’s also very wordy but I can tell that the author did their research.

[scriptedknight · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 4/5 stars
~
you know it's good when you read one book on your list but add two more from the notes section.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren O'Neill-Butler, The War of Art A History of Artists' Protest In America, Verso Books (US)|Verso, June 2025

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

This is a huge undertaking, with its dense roll call of information, detailed discussions of various artists, their motivation, and the application of this to their work. The density, and the multitude of ideas and information made this a difficult read. Rather than what I expected, a lively interpretation of the causes embraced by the artists, their successes and failures, the impact of the political environment at the government and community level, and the type of art that artists used to achieve their aims, I felt overwhelmed. So many of these issues are canvassed, but the way in which various strands are muted by the over serious nature of the writing and extraneous detail (or so it seems) makes understanding them difficult.

Where O’Neill – Butler excels is in giving a voice to relatively unknown artists and their work. Again, the mountain of detail needs to be surmounted, but an avid interrogator of this will find valuable material. It just takes some work, and a determination to follow the trails.

The work is supplemented by notes for each chapter, and an Index is to be published when the volume is finalised. The chapter headings might provide some useful pointers to readers familiar with the periods and terminology in coming to grips with the volume of material – The Jacket; Women Artists in Revolution, 1969-71; The Black Emergency Cultural Coalition, 1969-82; Top Value Television, 1972-79; Agnes Denes, 1931-95; fierce pussy, 1991-; Dyke Action Machine! 1991-2008; Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, 1954-; Project Row Houses, 1994-; Prescription Addiction Intervention now, 2017 -.

I found challenges in working through the new insights and history unveiled in this work. However, for those wanting to know more about lesser-known artists and their contribution to the political environment this is a worthwhile challenge. Those less committed could be led through the notes and index to authoritative new information. For those wanting an accessible work on artists’ contribution to waging a war on injustices this could be a difficult read.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling and comprehensive exploration of artist-led activism in the United States from the 1960s to the present. It examines the intersection between art and politics and how artist have used their art to fight for social justice. There are many artists and collectives included here, almost too many to keep track of, not helped by the accumulation of acronyms. The author challenges to idea that art is non-political or apolitical and explores how art can indeed have an impact on society. She goes behind the scenes to look at the strategies artists have used to advocate for reform or change. I found the book insightful and thought-provoking but sometimes overwhelming with its wealth of detail. My advice is to take it slowly and give yourself a chance to take it all in. This is no doubt a book I will return to from time to time. I would have liked more illustrations however, as I got tired of having to turn continually to Google.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was nice to be exposed to some artists of the last 50 years whom I'd not heard of before, but the book reads more like disjointed episodes or essays (and I think portions of the book were originally published as articles several years before this book was published). Doesn't feel like either a connected history or a book with a clear thesis or argument, and isn't clearly about artists' protest either (although the introduction does bring up that the line between political art and activism is blurred). The book also reads like one is expected to already be familiar with many of the artists and their influences/schools, maybe those into contemporary art will get more out of this book than I did.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a good, if not dense, history. But I don’t mind it and I love learning about art and protest and how intertwined they can be. Often knitted together in a way that can’t be untangled.

Thanks for the ARC.

[Alexandra Tiahnybok · Rating 4 out of 5]

love to learn!!! but dang, this was a lot of info!!! this is the type of book you read in class and discuss all semester long.

[sylver · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good, i highly recommend to those interested in art/activism. and a nice quick read which goes in well organized chronological chapters that have connecting threads within and between them.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

a brief and concise survey on some major art movements in america. i enjoyed this quick read.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched. Not necessarily actionable.

[Talia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it the way it was written was so beyond boring an dense. Love the topic and information tho just not accessible for a reader who doesn’t typically read this