Art in the Age of Populism

Connecting populism, the super-rich, and contemporary art, an insightful and timely analysis of works created by and about authoritarian populist leaders. Why do billionaires collect Banksy and Warhol? How does street art embody both populist politics and the culture of the super-rich? This book examines the curious fusion of elite and popular taste, showing how artists and politicians amplify the ordinary to achieve fame, wealth, and influence. From the auction houses of London to images of authoritarian leaders, and from the spectacle of Brexit to the online saturation of culture, Julian Stallabrass reveals how contemporary visual culture reflects and alters broader social and political dynamics. Controversial and incisive, Art in the Age of Populism situates the rise of populist art and politics in a critical cultural framework, shedding light on the forces shaping distinction, power, and the public imagination in the twenty-first century.