Art, Elitism, Authenticity and Liberty

This book excavates the depths of creative purpose and meaning-making, and the extent to which artist autonomy and authenticity in art is a struggle against psychological conditioning, controlling cultural institutions and markets, key to which is representation.

Paul Clements is Lecturer at Goldsmiths College, University of London. He is the author of The Outsider, Art and Humour (Routledge, 2020) and The Creative Underground: Art, Politics and Everyday Life (Routledge, 2017).

1. Introduction 2. What is 'Art' and Who Is the 'Artist'? 3. Art, Function and Social Impact 4. Functional Art: Autonomy, Morality, Constructivism and Commodification 5. The Possibilities and Limitations of Art 6. The Edges of Art 7. Populism and Elitism: Hybrid, Marginal and Post-Autonomous Art 8. Schizoid Art Without Boundaries 9. Paradox, Collusion, Ambiguity and Emancipation