In the early twenty-first century, China occupies a place on center stage in the international art world. But what does it mean to be a Chinese artist in the modern age? This first comprehensive study of modern Chinese art history traces its evolution chronologically and thematically from the Age of Imperialism to the present day. Julia Andrews and Kuiyi Shen pay particular attention to the dynamic tension between modernity and tradition, as well as the interplay of global cosmopolitanism and cultural nationalism. This lively, accessible, and beautifully illustrated text will serve and enlighten scholars, students, collectors, and anyone with an interest in Asian art and artists.
I appreciated very clear, coloured photos of all of the pieces of works, and easy to follow references in the text. There was a lot of contextual knowledge about the authors, their backgrounds, and reasons behind the productions of some of the pieces, which is extremely helpful for someone, such as me, who is not particularly familiar with modern Chinese art. My critique is that there was a lack of critical analysis about the pieces, or very small amounts, and I would like to see that expanded on in future, if possible.