The art world is like any other sub-culture in that they have their own little set of mores that everyone must act within. New York City is the center of the art world in America. That's where many of the major artists, the critics, and the people who spend money on art live. If an artist was to push the limits on the left's sacred cows of race, gender, or gayness, they would instantly become persona non grata in that scene, because the APPEARANCE of free expression is all that really matters. When someone can be "oppressed" by an off handed remark, artists don't have much leeway. Artists can always get away with criticizing the wealthy though, because as long as it doesn't affect their bottom line they don't give a crap. Hell, they'll buy the work.

If a well known artist was to say something positive about President Trump, the art scene would shit itself, like the music scene did with Kanye. If a well known artist made a pro-Trump work it would be the most transgressive thing ever. Something like "Piss Christ" angered a lot of people, but they were the right, non-art people. In terms of a subculture, the art world is more like the real estate brokerage than a punk rock collective. It's all about the bottom line, and the bottom line doesn't like to be associated with insensitive, ugly, or oppressive art that doesn't fit in with the sensitive and virtuous front they're putting up for everyone else.