"China and the West: The Reception of Chinese Art across Cultures from the 15th Century to the Present"

to be held at

The 36th AAH Annual Conference
University of Glasgow
15 – 17 April 2010

With China’s long history and rich culture, Chinese art has long been perceived as the parent art of Asia in the West. In the 15th century, extensive commercial development in China transformed art into commodity and upset its original status. The function of art was no longer limited to serving the official sphere for political and religious purposes, but extended to the personal/ public spheres for leisure, cultivation and commercial culture.

Chinese art, since it emerged in the West through trade, war, and international exposition, has been enthusiastically appreciated by connoisseurs, art collectors, artists, and museums. Bequests from private collectors, and their collaborations with national museums, have both played an important role in acquiring specimens of Chinese art of all kinds. Despite the differences in the perception of Chinese art across time and cultures, the choice of collectibles and exhibits reflects the national taste, and influences the general public’s understanding of the subject.

This session will investigate the cultural interaction between China and the West from the 15th century to the present. It will explore the Western/ Chinese perception of Chinese art, the roles of collectors, connoisseurs, and museums in shaping the conception of art, the influence of Western/ Chinese art on the development of art in, respectively, China/ the West. We will also encourage discussion on the collecting and display of ancient and modern Chinese art, the perception of contemporary Chinese art, and the impact of collaboration across cultures.

Please submit your abstract proposal (max. 250 words), institutional affiliation (if any), and contact information to the Session Convenors:

Michelle Huang
ylh@st-andrews.ac.uk

Sarah Ng
sau.ng@kellogg.ox.ac.uk

Submission deadline: 9 November 2009