Currently, due to the ambiguous definition of public art in China, various art-related issues have emerged in society. This study aims to discuss the contradictions between the artistic and social aspects of public art in mainland China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), and to analyze the impact of culture and politics on artistic creation. Using literature review and case study methods, the study outlines the Western origins and the development trajectory of public art in China. Combining aesthetic theory and art history, it highlights the differences in the outcomes and models of public art development under the influence of local culture and political environments. The research shows that public art in mainland China is government-led, with political factors influencing and intervening, and the works tend to focus more on social effects and public functions. This phenomenon reflects the complex relationship between art and power. In the Hong Kong SAR, most public art exhibits commercial characteristics, with artistic creation relying on market forces and capital support, leading to a lack of independence. This commercialization results in public art works that are oriented toward market demand in both content and aesthetics. Based on the combination of theory and case studies, the paper explains that the criteria for judging pure art works lie in the reasonable integration of "material factors" and "context," under which the artwork produces truthfulness and serves the public. Finally, it is proposed that public art should retain its artistic attributes, questioning the current trend of excessive consumption and commercialization of public art, and calling for a reconsideration of the artistic rationality of current public art works.

目前，由于中国公共艺术作品界定处于模糊状态，导致在社会上出现各种与其相关的艺术问题。本研究旨在讨论中国大陆和香港特区公共艺术作品在艺术性与社会性方面的矛盾，分析其文化和政治对艺术创作的影响。通过文献研究法和事例分析法，梳理了公共艺术的西方起源和中国发展脉络，结合美学理论和艺术史论，指出本土文化和政治环境下公共艺术发展结果和模式存在差异性。研究表明，中国大陆公共艺术以政府主导，政治因素影响干预下作品更注重社会效应和公共功能，该现象反映了艺术与权力之间的复杂关系。香港特区公共艺术大部分呈现商业化特征，艺术创作依赖于市场力量和资本支持导致缺乏独立性，这种商业化运作使公共艺术作品内容和审美以市场需求为导向。基于理论与作品案例结合，阐述纯粹艺术作品的判断指征是“物因素”与“语境”的合理融合下艺术作品产生真理性并服务于大众。最后，提出公共艺术作品应该具备艺术属性，并质疑当下公共艺术被过度消费和市场化趋势，呼吁应该重新反思当前公共艺术作品的艺术合理性。