In this course, students will build a foundation in critical theory revolving around issues of race, nationality, sexuality and gender as they relate to the formation of an artist’s identity, and how that identity in turn is reflected in the artist’s output. Attention will be paid to Asian contemporary artists working outside of their own cultures and to Asian-American artists, in an attempt to analyze the role of the Asian diaspora and its connection to contemporary art production in Asia proper. Special focus will be paid to the contemporary art of India, China, Korea and Japan, although other nations and regions will also be discussed.

2 credits