Dissent: Art and Protest in Northamptonshire

To mark 150 years since the people of Northampton took to the streets to endorse the atheist MP Charles Bradlaugh, the dissenters and protestors of Northamptonshire are examined through people's stories, events and art in the exhibition. The exhibition includes the work of artists Chris Fiddes, June Mendoza and John Collier, as well as Freee Art Collective (Mel Jordan) and the Partisan Social Club (Mel Jordan), Chris Daubney, Dylan Fox and Pradeep Rajguru.



The relationship between art and politics is complex and multifaceted. While art can sometimes reinforce prevailing political and ideological perspectives, aligning itself with dominant narratives, it more often acts as a disruptive force—challenging the status quo and catalyzing social and political change. Art can spotlight pressing political issues,critique social structures, and expose hidden power dynamics, offering alternative interpretations of events and encouraging audiences to reconsider their understanding of reality. In this way, art not only mirrors society but also has the power to reshape it.
For the exhibition Dissent: Art and Protest in Northamptonshire, we proposed showcasing the work of five local artists whose practices engage with contemporary political issues.
These artists address themes including gender and transgender rights, geopolitical conflicts, advanced capitalism and the technosphere, and the relationship between art and democracy. Daubney, Fox, Partisan Social Club (Hewitt & Jordan), and Rajguru each create works that wrestle with the political complexities of our time, challenging viewers to reflect on and question current societal realities.