About

How "red' has the art of the Asia-Pacific been over the last 100 years? The lecture follows a new study, Soviet Socialist Realism and Art in the Asia-Pacific, which evaluates the impact of the Russians across the art of our region. It says this work is both visually powerful and part of the history of the Asia Pacific which is frequently overlooked or underestimated. It asks why - and gives reasons. This is about art, but within the context of political and cultural history, focused mainly on China, Vietnam, the two Koreas, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and also Australia. The study is the first to analyse this impact across the region.

The lecture will summarise this history, explore why the usual initial response to the idea of Socialist Realism is dismissive, and put forward its many artistic and organisational achievements. It will argue it needs greater acknowledgement and understanding.

Dr Alison Carroll has worked with art in Asia for many years, in 1990 setting up and directing (for 20 years) Asialink Arts. During this time, she was a member of the Consultative Committee for the first three Asia Pacific Triennials, with a specific curatorial role for artists from Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. She is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Victorian College of the Arts.