This book, written at the start of the 'Asian century', addresses a topic of enduring interest for artists, art historians and scholars of international relations and cultural history: what is the role of art in society; what is the relationship between art and society? Focusing specifically on contemporary Asian art through the lens of human rights discourse and practice, it contributes knowledge about a specific moment in art history: when Asian art burst onto the world scene, in the late twentieth century.
The authors employ a case study methodology based on extensive research and interviews with key artists whose work exemplifies approaches in the art community more generally. Artists selected for focus include those with a history of significant political activism, those whose work consistently reflects on or gives witness to human rights abuses and those who explore ethical relationships with others and with the natural environment.
This is one of the first surveys of the contemporary art of the region, and is organised into chapters on activism, war, divided societies, the impacts of decolonisation and globalisation and the role of art in worldmaking. It makes explicit both the contexts for art and the contributions of Asian artists, within and beyond their region, to these enduring issues of humanity. It extends knowledge of art history in the region and - by drawing together the biographies and oeuvres of key artists and theorising their work in light of the social, political and artistic contexts in which they operate - provides a much-needed text for students and scholars.

Caroline Turner is a curator and academic who has written extensively on contemporary Asian art and is currently an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the Research School of Humanities and the Arts, Australian National University
Jen Webb is Distinguished Professor in Creative Practice and Director of the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research in the Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

1. Frameworks and contexts
2. The artist as cultural and political activist
3. War, violence and divided societies
4. Globalisation and identity: the challenge of a globalising world
5. Worldmaking in art
Conclusion
Index