WE OFTEN TALK about what art is and what is considered art. It’s a debate that cuts across cultures and traditions, across generations and eras. Some of the most important art wasn’t recognized as art in its day. Some of the most celebrated artists—the ones who make up what was once thought of as “the canon”—are now viewed very differently because of who they were and who was excluded. Institutions, like governments and museums, can provide or restrict access to art. In some places, it’s because they believe everyone has a right to see and make it; in others, it’s because they’re fearful of what might happen if they do. Because what we’re really talking about is what it means for people to express themselves and create things, to imagine…
You're reading a preview of
Harper's Bazaar (Digital) - 1 Issue, December/January 2025