Modern and Contemporary Art in Asia -1

In connection with the ‘Art of Thangka – Tibetan Buddhism Art’ held in the Exhibition Gallery from 12 May to 1 July, the ‘Modern and Contemporary Art in Asia 1’ introduces the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum collection of folk art related to flamboyant festivals and rituals in Asia.  In such art as Mithila and Warli Paintings in India, Balinese Paintings in Indonesia, New Year Paintings in China and other art sprung from beliefs, festivals and rituals of people, their world view based on their own cultures can be seen.

This kind of art has been succeeded till today while transformed its shape and acquired new values through the changes in the lives of Asian people as time went by.  Fusion with Western culture in the process of modernization, how they would present their own culture to foreign countries, domestic political condition, and various other factors affected and changed these kinds of art.  No matter how they change their shapes, however, they never loose the liveliness and gaiety of festivals and rituals. They even bring us, who are estranged from traditional festivals and religious rituals, the special feeling of noisiness.