Alan Lau, an art expert from Hong Kong, wrote about Southeast Asia’s growing artistic visibility for CNN last week. He mentions the importance of Art Stage Jakarta, held for the first time last month, which drew 15,000 people to the Indonesian capital. The contemporary art event featured a wide range of artists and works.
Of course, Southeast Asian art isn’t new to the world stage, Lau argues. He cites Ming Wong’s Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2009 and Indonesia’s national pavilion at the same celebration last year, both of which won acclaim. Meanwhile Maria Taniguchi, from the Philippines, won Guggenheim’s Hugo Boss Asia Art 2015 prize.
Lau also discusses several well-known Vietnamese contemporary artists. Danh Vo was born in Vietnam in 1975 and fled the country with his family when he was four. The art critic explains that Vo’s “themes of displacement and identity resonate with a global audience.” For example, ‘We the People’ recreated the Statue of Liberty as 267 fragments spread around the world as standalone abstract sculptures.
Dinh Q Le, who left the country at age 10, created works about the American War while studying in the US. Tiffany Chung, who is also based in the US, illustrates themes of war and conflict, with regular visits to Vietnam serving as inspiration.
Lau highlights new platforms which highlight regional art as well, such as the huge National Gallery Singapore, which opened earlier this year. The expert argues that the museum features an unparalleled Southeast Asian collection, allowing visitors to get a full sense of the diverse region’s work.
Vietnam will get a taste of Southeast Asia’s artistic skill next year, when the Prudential Eye Awards will be held here for the first time.
[Photo via Arctic.edu]
