Representations of Social Structures in Western Visual Art

Amani Qasim  Abdel Nabi

doi:10.33899/frj.v2i1.61589

Representations of Social Structures in Western Visual Art

Section: Article

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): Volume 2 Issue 1

Pages

47-62

Keywords:

Social Structures, Contemporary Western Formation, Fine art

Abstract

This study explores the representations of both superstructure and infrastructure in contemporary Western art. The research is structured into four chapters. In the first chapter, the researcher presents the problem of the study, which is framed by the following central question: How have social structures been represented in the formulation of Western visual art? This chapter also includes an introduction that outlines the significance of the research, its necessity, and its boundaries.

The second chapter constitutes theoretical framework, encompassing the concept of social critique (as grounded in Marxist philosophy), followed by an examination of the application of social critique in art, the characteristics of contemporary Western art, and the key indicators derived from this chapter.

The third chapter is dedicated to the analysis of selected samples, while the fourth chapter presents the findings derived from the analysis, along with the subsequent conclusions.

Among the most significant results are:

The transformation in the presentation of artworks—driven by economic and technological advancement—reflects major societal shifts and opens new horizons for artistic practice, thus generating rich and diverse experiences that embody contemporaneity.

The pursuit of artistic uniqueness and innovation in contemporary art has led artists to develop and invent new artistic approaches, resulting in formal compositions that distinguish one artist's style from another.

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