It appears Britain is now readily appreciating art from the Asia-Pacific region, evidenced by a string of significant recent exhibitions, including the new “Rising Voices” showcase at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A). The question remains: why did this recognition take so long?

A striking new sculpture greets visitors at the main entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in South Kensington. Positioned in the domed hall, opposite the galleries featuring medieval and Renaissance European art, stands a life-size fibreglass figure of a robust bouncer. The Māori name tag on his belt loop hints at a considerable journey from his homeland.

This artwork, titled “Kapa Haka (Whero),” by Michael Parekōwhai from Aotearoa New Zealand, serves as a symbolic sentinel for the exhibition “Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific.” This exhibition, a collaboration with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, presents over 70 works that have never before been displayed in the UK. These pieces represent artists from 25 nations, showcased over the years at QAGOMA’s Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT). This event marks the latest in a series of recent exhibitions bringing works from Australian galleries to prominent international institutions. Last year, Tate Modern featured Emily Kam Kngwarray, in partnership with the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Gallery of Victoria’s “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” is currently on tour in the US.

English Translation

Asia-Pacific Art Finally Conquers Britain

Britain seems to finally have an eye for art from the Asia-Pacific, with several big recent exhibitions, including the new “Rising Voices” show at the V&A. Why did it take so long?

An imposing new figure is greeting visitors inside the main entrance of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in South Kensington. Standing on one side of the domed hall, across from the galleries dedicated to medieval and Renaissance European art, is a life-size, fibreglass sculpture of a burly bouncer. The Māori nametag hanging from his belt loop suggests he has travelled a long way from home.

This character, “Kapa Haka (Whero)” by Michael Parekōwhai from Aotearoa New Zealand, is a symbolic guardian for the exhibition “Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific.” Produced in partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, the show includes more than 70 works which have never before been exhibited in the UK, by artists from 25 countries who have featured through the decades in QAGOMA’s Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT). It’s the latest in a recent wave of shows that have brought works from Australian galleries to international institutions. Last year, Tate Modern hosted Emily Kam Kngwarray in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition “The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art” is now touring the US.