There has been an explosion of interest in Chinese contemporary art in recent years, coinciding with the country's rapid economic, social, and political transformation, and driven internationally by the country's rising status in the global economy.

Within these frames Chinese art has largely been seen either as a derivative of Western art, or an extension of the country's centuries-old art traditions. These approaches have obscured a critical understanding of the trajectory of contemporary Chinese art, and to some degree, perpetuated the misconception that contemporary art in China is mainly market-driven.

Looking Back, Looking Forward: Contemporary Chinese Art, 1976-Present, traces the development of contemporary art in China in the last four decades from the late 1970s to today, including artists working in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan and those of the diaspora.

Identifying several art movements and historicizing their significance, this talk will demonstrate that contemporary art in China is conditioned and shaped by the country's unique history and culture, which provides a fertile land for artistic experimentations.

Date: May 14

Venue: Center for Chinese Studies, 11381 Bunche Hall, Los Angeles

Website: www.international.ucla.edu

(China Daily 05/10/2013 page23)