Tilting Backward

EDITOR'S LETTER

Innovation versus tradition, fine arts versus crafts, global versus local . . . What do these notions mean today? Since 1993, ArtAsiaPacific has introduced artists, such as those from the Pacific Islands, who have forged new paths in craft-making, producing works that many in the established art world perceive as old-fashioned, but which on their own turf are considered contemporary. Throughout the 1990s in particular, when identity politics were a hotly debated topic, Asia-Pacific artists in the United States and many postcolonial Asian countries made the choice to create art in a vernacular language that wasn’t distinctly “Western.” After 20 years, many of these artists have gained significant recognition, while others have experienced a regressive backlash against their contributions. In our September/October edition we look at artists and genres that continue to push forward these important conversations.