Interesting Mark,
In fact art as defined in a most traditional way, has always had a function, although many try to deny it. But if we talk about bhuddist art, religious art in general, it serves a purpose.
When it comes to provocation, the idea is meant to bring some food for thought. Let's talk about something also lethal:
The ketchup or mayonnese and the hamburger depicted in Pop Art. It was shocking at the time.
Yet it might have brought some thoughts on uniformization and industrialization of societies... which in some way is a political analysis.
But art has always had a political connection as well, either politically correct or ... incorrect
It is unbelievable that some people insist that art has no other purpose than be art... what is that???