Are artists the most powerful activists?

In 2017, a number of ground-breaking and provocative London exhibitions hit the headlines for showcasing artists tackling a broad range of economic and socio-political issues in their work. From Grayson Perry's provocative post-Brexit solo show at Serpentine Gallery and IWM's Age of Terror: Art since 9/11 to Tate Modern's sell-out exhibition exploring the Black Power Artists and a Jean-Michel Basquiat retrospective at the Barbican, 2017 was the year artist-activists stole the show.

But with artists documenting, exploring and commenting on conflict and its consequences more than ever before, the boundaries between the world's cultural and socio-political spheres are increasingly blurred.

Join Walk the Talk - an inititative whose aim is to inform and inspire through discussion, enlightening talks, workshops and events - for an evening talk on contemporary conflict in art, the impact of technology, and the role and power of artists today.

This one-off stimulating debate, led by a panel of industry experts and artists, is curated by Google Arts & Culture Projects Leader Suhair Khan.

Culture Whisper is offering pairs of tickets to Gold Whisper members to attend this evening of intellectual discussion on 24 January at 6.30pm. Redeem your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

The evening's speakers include:

Aaron Cezar, Director of Delfina Foundation. Cezar has devised Delfina Foundation’s groundbreaking thematic programmes such as Collecting as Practice, the first ever integrated residency programme for collectors alongside artists.

Michaela Crimmin, Co-director of Culture & Conflict, a not-for-profit agency focusing on art produced in, or in response to, conflicts across the world.

Aman Mojadidi, an Afghan-American artist working largely through site-specific projects. His work utilizes an experimental ethnographic approach, combining qualitative research, traditional storytelling, postmodern narrative strategies, and mixed-media installations.

Rebecca Newell, who joined the IWM in September 2017, is the museum's Head of Art. She works on all aspects related to the care, display and interpretation of the IWM preeminent art collection.

Michael Rakowitz, Chicago based contemporary artist whose public projects, installations and events explore global issues including both war and conflict. Rakowitz's newest project, The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist, will adorn Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth from 28 March 2018. Started in 2006, The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist is a project that attempts to recreate over 7,000 archeological artefacts looted from the Iraq Museum during the war or destroyed in its aftermath.