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Asian art
Asian artists have made decisive contributions to the development of global contemporary art, often by drawing on local concerns and traditional forms, philosophies and techniques.
The Gallery's Contemporary Asian art collection is among the most extensive of its kind in the world, comprising over 1000 works from the late 1960s to the present which shed light on modern historical developments, current environments of social change and evolving models of artistic production. The Gallery acquires the work of leading artists from all parts of Asia and the Asian diaspora. Contemporary Asian holdings have been shaped by the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art since 1993, including the APT's commissioning and collecting agenda which keeps the collection dynamic and up to date.
Significant moments in the twentieth and twenty-first century Avant-garde are represented in the Collection by works such as Xu Bing's A book from the sky 1987–91, Nam June Paik's Global groove 1973 and TV Cello 2000, and in works by Yayoi Kusama, Lee Ufan and Ai Weiwei.
The Gallery's historical Asian art highlights significant artistic developments across the region from the Neolithic period to the twentieth century, exploring diverse media, philosophies and techniques through painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, metalware, lacquerware, photography and furniture. It draws attention to the importance of cultural exchange in the continuing development of Asia's aesthetic traditions, and contextualises the Gallery's contemporary Asian collection.
![Artwork Wine pot this artwork made of Cast iron with gold and silver foliate inlay, created in 1780-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1096_001.jpg?itok=3RhPjZyq)
Wine pot c.1780-1820
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Wine pot this artwork made of Black cast iron flattened spherical body with coarse finish and floral motifs, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1097_001.jpg?itok=BbyvTaAM)
Wine pot 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Winepot this artwork made of Black cast iron flattened spherical shape with coarse texture and dragon mask handles, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1098_001.jpg?itok=sjvxZzVy)
Winepot 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Scenes from palace life) this artwork made of Watercolour and ink on pith paper, created in 1880-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1357.001-7_001_part%201.jpg?itok=awLMCeoJ)
(Scenes from palace life) c.1880-1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Amulet this artwork made of Brown jade, carved, created in 1975-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1284_24-01.jpg?itok=kkq0bPH8)
Amulet unknown
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Amulet this artwork made of Green jade, carved](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1283_24-01.jpg?itok=eY1moKEa)
Amulet unknown
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Ornament: (duck) this artwork made of White and orange jade, carved](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1281_24-01.jpg?itok=XwzYFnEO)
Ornament: (duck) unknown
- UNKNOWN - Creator
Dish 1567-1572 (Lung Ch'ing Period)
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Egg and spinach bowl this artwork made of Porcelaneous stoneware thrown flaring bowl with mottled green, yellow and aubergine glaze, created in 1700-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1526_001.jpg?itok=7CNqGFzr)
Egg and spinach bowl 18th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Pi: (disk) this artwork made of Black, brown and green jade, carved and incised](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1276_24-01.jpg?itok=PIkfHHJN)
Pi: (disk) unknown
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Page turner this artwork made of Ivory, carved and engraved, created in 1700-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1530_001.jpg?itok=gxb3OvRt)
Page turner 18th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Handbag this artwork made of Silk brocade with three tassels. (Made for Western market), created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-0710_001.jpg?itok=JBiz6Win)
Handbag c.1800-1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Fan this artwork made of Ivory guards with dragon embroidered on gauze with polychrome silks. Complete with black lacquered box, created in 1825-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-0734.001-2_001.jpg?itok=VNnJnWJx)
Fan c.1850
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Table cover this artwork made of Yellow silk and metal thread brocade with flower and dragon pattern, created in 1900-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-0728_23-01.jpg?itok=JR7BU_3X)
Table cover c.1900-50
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Saucer this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain decorated in green, brown, black and blue, created in 1850-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1105_001.jpg?itok=mpbsFRAe)
Saucer c.1850-1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator