Clark, T. Art and Propaganda, London; Calmann and King Ltd

The book, as a whole, examines the relationship between propaganda and art, by showing how political purpose can be advertised through art. It also depicts how styles can be associated with certain political powers.
Clark investigates the use, desired effects and actual effects of propaganda throughout the 20th century. This non-fiction book almost has a narrative as it tells the evolution of government run artwork; from the boom of mass-media propaganda techniques during the Second World War to the AIDs epidemic and the aftermath of the Vietnam War that provoked artists in the late 20th century to convey strong political opinions. The author seems to take a non-biased position on the varying topics throughout the book; he gives the impression of taking an “academic” point of view, and tries to denounce the negative connotations that surround the word ‘propaganda’. Clark states facts more than opinions, which allows the reader to make their own informed decisions.
It appears to me that the purpose of the book is first and foremost, to inform of the history of propaganda and to identify the link between propaganda art and the political issues at the time. I feel that it does this excellently, by describing the political unrest or movement, then analyzing the effects this had on artists, and in some cases the strict guidelines (that the government enforced) that they had to adhere to.
When reading, I was particularly encapsulated by a sub-heading, “Organizing the Psyche of the Masses”.  The chapter describes in detail the increase in the Soviet states control over art following the 1917 revolution. It explains the Soviet governments strict rules (all artists had to follow one style) that were founded in 1934 and the ‘function’ of art in new revolutionized Soviet Russia. “Government had entirely altered conditions for the patronage, audience and sites of art”, this fascinated me as the extreme efforts that the government went to in order to control art in the communist state, is clear evidence of the impact that art can have on a culture.

Bibliography;

Art and Propaganda- Clark, T.