Knowledge is Power, 1989

Proclaimed as an artist that "speaks truth to power" by Smithsonian magazine, Barbara Kruger is a conceptual artist known for her use of silkscreen prints which often overlay a direct and declarative caption. Educated at the Parsons School Of Design, Kruger takes inspiration from mass media, with her art work often challenging consumerism, as well as bring attention to feminist thought. Her work mainly encompasses black and white photographs paired with a red and white caption which facilitates communication between herself and the viewer of her art. A notable work in this medium was Your Body is a battleground (1989), which depicted a woman partly in black and white, with the captions "Your Body is a battleground". The piece was made in support for the March For Women's Lives protest of 1989, which sought for the reproductive rights of women and was associated with other postmodern feminist artists of that time such as Cindy Sherman and Jenny Holzer. Kruger has also used video and audio as a medium for her artwork, which follow her central style of communicating with the viewers of her art. Kruger artwork has been highly influential in the visual art scene, and continues to be openly critical of popular culture through her art as well as her essays to which she has contributed to. (Artist website)