As an introduction to our series, this talk will span the 18th century through to today to look at how politics and art have developed hand in hand. Simple commentators or vigorous activists, the artists we will look at have defied convention to throw tough topics into the light. Our particular focus is the aftermath of World War II. How is it some contemporary artists still find themselves working in a 'post-war' era decades after 1945? This thought-provoking, challenging talk provides an insight into the works by some of the greatest artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Georg Baselitz.