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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 Buckle this artwork made of Ivory carved in two interlocking sections inlaid with metal, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1219Aa-b_24-01.jpg?itok=i4x0WYVr)
Buckle 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Chess piece this artwork made of Ivory, carved and stained red, created in 1900-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1023_24-01.jpg?itok=BfDe1GcZ)
Chess piece c.1900-50
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Old man with deer) this artwork made of Ivory, carved and incised and inset, created in 1900-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1022_24-01.jpg?itok=hMVGYylC)
(Old man with deer) c.1900-25
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Family group) this artwork made of Ivory, carved and incised, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1021_24-01.jpg?itok=oaxi-jVj)
(Family group) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Figure of a fisherman) this artwork made of Ivory, carved, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1017_24-01.jpg?itok=ruw8llpb)
(Figure of a fisherman) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Buddha with cobras) this artwork made of Ivory, carved, created in 1875-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1015_24-01.jpg?itok=iO3AOrb5)
(Buddha with cobras) c.1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Figure of a young man) this artwork made of Ivory, carved, stained with mother-of-pearl inlay, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1016_24-01.jpg?itok=KLdO_bH2)
(Figure of a young man) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork (Figure of an old man) this artwork made of Ivory, carved, stained and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, created in 1800-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1014_24-01.jpg?itok=sooOr-1P)
(Figure of an old man) 19th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![© Kohei Nawa Artwork PixCell-Double Deer#4 this artwork made of Mixed media, created in 2010-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/2010.637_007.jpg?itok=_docus-G)
PixCell-Double Deer#4 2010
- NAWA, Kohei - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Aag this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2010-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.202_001.jpg?itok=AO5AQF5K)
Aag 2010
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Rescue this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2009-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.204_001.jpg?itok=Rf_OXz1B)
Rescue 2009
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Attack this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2009-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.010_001.jpg?itok=6W7iL02C)
Attack 2009
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Fruit-gun this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint on paper, created in 2009-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.014_001.jpg?itok=A5yKAjUs)
Fruit-gun 2009
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Life on boat this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on paper, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.012_001.jpg?itok=v9_um8nY)
Life on boat 2015
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Mahadev-Gaura this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.011_001.jpg?itok=okJvcqu7)
Mahadev-Gaura 2015
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Signal this artwork made of Ink and synthetic polymer paint on paper, created in 2009-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.013_001.jpg?itok=WBp7FGGB)
Signal 2009
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© Venkat Raman Singh Shyam Artwork Under the tree this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2016.009_001.jpg?itok=-tsfSD7k)
Under the tree 2015
- SHYAM, Venkat Raman Singh - Creator
![© David Medalla Artwork Cloud Canyons No.25 this artwork made of Plexiglass tubing, motor pumps, water, detergent, created in 1963-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2014.378a-f_031.jpg?itok=TQvQzkdX)
Cloud Canyons No.25 1963/2015
- MEDALLA, David - Creator
![© Khvay Samnang Artwork Rubber man this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm paper, created in 2014-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.100_001.jpg?itok=DOynb3r9)
Rubber man 2014
- KHVAY Samnang - Creator
![© Khvay Samnang Artwork Rubber man this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm paper, created in 2014-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.102_001.jpg?itok=AZVDRyFd)
Rubber man 2014
- KHVAY Samnang - Creator
![© Khvay Samnang Artwork Rubber man this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm paper, created in 2014-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.101_001.jpg?itok=J5r8wA0D)
Rubber man 2014
- KHVAY Samnang - Creator
![© Zhou Tao Artwork Blue and Red this artwork made of Single-channel HD video: 24:25 minutes, 16:9, colour, sound, created in 2014-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.141_001.jpg?itok=tK0kESO2)
Blue and Red 2014
- ZHOU Tao - Creator
![Artwork Massive cloisonné urn this artwork made of Elaborately decorated with alternating panels of birds at the shoulder and floral motifs around the body in the cloisonné technique, created in 1875-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/1987.051_23-01.jpg?itok=O0-bo8hH)
Massive cloisonné urn c.1875-1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator