Th Century Southeast Asian Art Being Modern

AY2023/2024 Semester 1

This course examines the modern art of Southeast Asia in the 20th Century. Through diverse examples from across the region, we will enrich our understandings of 'the modern' by considering how art reveals the complexities of modernities. Art in 20th Century Southeast Asia can be characterised as being modern, and also as having other qualities - for example, art can be modern and nationalist, or even modern and traditional. We will traverse these issues while outlining the historical development of modern art in Southeast Asia, familiarising and critically engaging you with key actors, agents and art-historical narratives. The intermediate-level course is suited for students with some grounding in art history; however, no prior study of Southeast Asia's art is required.