WHAT WE'RE READING: “I Don’t Want Your Millions (Billions), Mister,” – Art and the Working Class
Harold Phillips | Published on 5/3/2026
From Portside:
"Production and enjoyment of art is one of the constants in the human condition. From cave paintings, to the art of ancient Greece, to the posters from the Black Panther Party, all humans participate in art.
"Unfortunately, “respected” art today is closely tied to the vagaries of capitalism. Museums are locations for the production of tax breaks for billionaires. “Fine art” is an asset class for speculation for those whose wallets are swollen with the harvests of exploitation of the working class. Determination of what is worthy to be exhibited and what is not is enforced by a neoliberal ideology which performatively lauds “identity” while ignoring class, and punishes artists who attempt to speak on issues such as Gaza.
"But outside of this ideological strait jacket much art making occurs in the working class..."
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