Martin Lang

Martin Lang is an artist, writer, and researcher specialising in art activism, political aesthetics, and populism in contemporary art. He holds a fully funded PhD in History and Philosophy of Art from the University of Kent, an MA in Fine Art from the University of the Arts London, a Postgraduate Diploma from the Cyprus College of Art, and a PGCE from the University of Greenwich.

His book Militant Aesthetics (Bloomsbury, 2024) introduced the concept of "dialectical ethicism", a distinctive methodology for evaluating art activism that blends analytic philosophy of art (an area in which the University of Kent is a global leader) with critical theory (which he studied under world-leading thinkers such as Slavoj Žižek, David Harvey, and Esther Leslie).

Martin’s research on art and politics has been presented internationally and widely published in academic journals. His interdisciplinary approach includes collaborations with political scientists and psychologists, addressing contemporary issues such as post-truth, populism, and the universal potential of art. He also writes for Trebuchet Magazine and The Conversation, contributing to wider public discourse on contemporary art.

As an artist, Martin has exhibited internationally, with UK shows at the ICA, Arcadia Missa, and the Creekside Open, alongside exhibitions in the USA, Cyprus, and Portugal. His practice spans painting, photography, digital art, and AI image generation, reflecting his engagement with contemporary digital and political issues.

As an experienced course leader, Martin has led and revalidated programmes at Lincoln and UCA, shaping curriculum and assessment standards across multiple campuses.