Artists as Outlaw Day is a holiday observed on the 19th of January that differentiates between popular artists and those who engage in what some might call “subversive art.”

These artists push the limits of art while making bold statements about humanity, art, and society. This art is designed to make the public question the principles and values of the systems in place.

It is designed not just to question these systems, however. This form of art aims to lead directly to social change. Art that is not only designed to make a change in the viewer but also in the society in which it exists.

The History of Artists as Outlaw Day

At this time, we are unable to uncover the history of Artists as Outlaw Day. We believe that it was created sometime after 2000, but we are not exactly sure of the exact date. We are also unsure of who created this holiday or why it was created. It could have been created in honor of the artist Banksy—an England-based street artist whose identity has remained unconfirmed.

Some Outlaw Artists to Consider

Since we are on the subject of outlaw artists, we thought we would take the time to list a few of them that we think people will appreciate. With that being said, check out the following “subversive” artists and see if their work speaks to you.

• Artemisia Gentileschi
• Adrian Piper
• Cindy Sherman
• Eva Hesse
• James Luna
• Emory Douglas

Observing Artists as Outlaw Day

Artists as Outlaw Day is a holiday that can be observed by anyone and everyone. For art fans, it is a day to seek out the work of subversive artists, and for subversive artists, it is a day to present their work to the world. Regardless of which camp a person falls into, people should take the time to spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #ArtistsAsOutlawDay on social media.