19th century Quote by Mohsin Hamid
“I think if you say that art and politics, or religion and politics, mustn't mix, don't mix, that is itself a political statement. Even if you are writing a 19th-century novel where the money comes from a plantation in the Caribbean and you don't talk about that, that itself is a political thing.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, 2017
Separating art from politics is impossible; any omission or claim of separation itself carries political weight.
In simple terms: Art and politics are always linked; claiming otherwise is political.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden politics in creative work.
Themes
politics
art
ethics
representation
Mood
critical
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing
- publishing
- teaching literature
- curating exhibitions
Key Concepts
cultural critique
authorial responsibility
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does silence about history affect interpretation?
- Can true neutrality exist in art?
A Different Perspective
Even explicit statements about separation can be co-opted to silence critique.
![“Think of anybody - Dostoevsky or Jane Austen - [their work] was always something that now we would call political. So I don't see those separations too much, between what is artistic and what is political. Maybe in painting... no, I don't even believe that.” quote by Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6cc/toni-morrison-271_artistic_think-of-anybody-dostoevsky-or-jane-aust_2612742.jpg)
![“My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression […] I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f07/ai-weiwei-824_art_my-definition-of-art-has-always-been-the_1900659.jpg)
![“. . . Luddites were those frenzied traditionalists of the early 19th century who toured [England] wrecking new weaving machines on the theory that if they were destroyed . . . old jobs and old ways of life could be preserved . . . At certain times in his life each man is tempted to become a…” quote by James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/182/james-a-michener-1627_19th-century_luddites-were-those-frenzied-traditional_76909.jpg)
