Desai, president of the Asia Society, notes in her introduction that contemporary Asian art is often neglected by Western museums in favor of traditional "pure" forms. This collection of essays, published by the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, covers both traditional and contemporary Asian art history. Topics range from medieval Japanese Zen paintings to the art produced to further the politics of Mao Zedong. The question of the influence of Western art is discussed as to whether it is a healthy transnationalism or a relic of colonial oppression. A section details the role of museums in promoting new expressions of art. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
