ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the complexities of socially engaged art, addressing its definition, conceptual intricacies, and cultural specificity. Building on the case studies presented in Chapter 1, the chapter explores key questions: What is socially engaged art? How is it addressed and defined by practitioners? By drawing from existing literature and the case studies, I navigate the multifaceted nature of socially engaged art, providing an overview of its contexts and functions. I situate socially engaged art within broader frames of socially engaged practice and the arts, arguing for its recognition as an umbrella concept that encompasses diverse artistic and arts-informed approaches. Insights from the case studies and practitioner interviews illuminate the richness and variety of these practices. The chapter contends that while socially engaged art practices share essential common features—such as art, social engagement, creativity, and transformative aspirations—they evolve in a decentralised, non-hierarchical, rhizomatic manner, highlighting their dynamic interplay and adaptability across different cultural contexts.
