The initiative which was funded by King’s School of Social Science Impact Fund, highlights the significant influence of art on social and political discourse.
The first segment of the exhibition features six political cartoons from around the globe. They were created as part of the international competition that paired cartoonists with academics to translate complex scholarly findings into accessible and thought-provoking visual narratives. These works are grounded in social research and address themes such as disinformation, precarity and the agency of marginalised groups.
The second part of the exhibition shifts focus to multimedia works tackling the contemporary issue of disinformation. Among these is a video installation and an interactive mirror-based piece from the Face In The Hole project, which uses the juxtaposition of text and imagery to challenge harmful political rhetoric.
A highlight of the opening day includes an interactive session led by artist Joanna Mamede of Face In The Hole, who will work with Year 10 students from Outwood Academy Bydales. These students will create artwork addressing social issues relevant to them, guided by Mamede. Their creations will be added to the exhibition, offering a new perspective on the topics.
The exhibition is part of a broader research network under the OU’s Open Societal Challenges Programme, dedicated to addressing significant societal issues through research-driven, impactful initiatives that aim to drive societal change and improve lives.
For more details about the project, visit the official page and an online gallery showcasing the artwork can be found here.