Sherrards’ Art & Heritage Partner contributes to new Citywealth feature on political art and institutional risk

28th November 2025 | Abby Cowan | Art & Heritage, Political Art, Collectors & Estates

Citywealth’s latest feature, Art and Activism 2025, brings together leading voices in art law to examine how political art is reshaping institutional and legal landscapes.

In the article, Arthur Byng Nelson, Partner in Sherrards’ Private Wealth Team and Head of Art & Heritage, provides expert commentary on the pressures faced by artists, collectors and cultural institutions when handling politically charged works. His contribution sits alongside perspectives from international art-law specialists, exploring how activism, public reaction and legal constraints increasingly influence decisions around acquisition, display and long-term stewardship.

“Art that engages with our times can be exciting. It is also true that challenging art can be challenging to own. A few reasons collectors might be wary of purchasing political art:

1. the risk of unwanted publicity or worse for being perceived to support one or other political stance;
2. a work’s free movement and enjoyment can be restricted if it contains symbols, materials or images that offend laws in certain jurisdictions;
3. the reluctance of some public institutions to want to exhibit or receive by way of gift overtly political works;
4. the value of political art can rise or fall exponentially depending on the cultural climate.”

Arthur’s contribution reflects his advisory work with artists, collectors, estates and cultural institutions, addressing the practical challenges raised by politically charged works, from movement, loan and conservation considerations to the heightened responsibilities placed on fiduciaries managing sensitive or volatile assets.

The full article explores a range of contemporary and historical case studies, including interventions by Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwei, Banksy and Jacob Epstein, highlighting how activism and artistic expression continue to intersect with legal frameworks and institutional decision-making.

To read the article in full, visit here.