Much as global political and cultural dominance by the United States prompted frequent reference to the twentieth century as 'the American Century',so the phrase 'the Asian Century' - associated with a historic i988 meeting between Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi - signifies a belief that the twenty-first century will be dominated by Asia. To some extent, the implied promise contained in this phrase has already been fulfilled. In the past decade, the balance of geopolitical, economic and even military power has shifted away from America and Europe towards Asia. Japan, Taiwan and Korea are at the cutting edge of technological trends, while China and India have re-emerged as international powers. ...

The twenty-first-century phenomenon of the international art world is contemporary Asian art. Fuelled by a new-found openness in the East, and by an economic boom that has promoted a vibrant cultural confidence, art made in Asia or by Asian artists since the 1990s has become a dynamic and hugely exciting sphere of interest, universally acknowledged and appreciated by collectors, critics and curators.

This authoritative, wide-ranging book surveys the contemporary art of Asia, examining key issues and themes:art's relationship to history and tradition, its engagement with politics, society and the state, its exploration of consumerism and popular culture, and its interplay with the urban environment.

Artists range from established names to emerging practitioners, and over 230 sumptuous illustrations capture the full scope of their practice, from calligraphy, painting, sculpture and photography to performance, installation, video and internet art.

Complete with comprehensive artist biographies, this book is both a superb critical overview and the consummate visual reference. Rich in context, and concluding with a look at the future, it will be the definitive volume on the subject and essential reading for students, specialists and anyone fascinated by a truly remarkable, newly emerging field.

introduction

chapter 1 RETHINKING TRADITION

chapter 2 POLITICS, SOCIETY AN D THE STATE

chapter 3 ASIAN POP, CONSUMERISM AND STEREOTYPES

chapter 4 URBAN NATURE

epilogue

 AGLIMPSEINTOTHE FUTURE

 ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

notes

 bibliography

 list of museums and galleries

 list of illustrations

acknowledgments

index