Manchester University Press Contemporary art and ecological transformation in East and Southeast Asia (Rethinking Art's Histories)

This anthology brings together new research from twelve scholars to examine the relationship between contemporary art and ecological concerns in East and Southeast Asia. Centred on the idea of artistic remediation, it explores the many ways art responds to and challenges systemic anthropogenic damage to the environment. The volume argues that a significant ecological shift is taking place within art and art history, one that reframes human–nature relationships and emphasises the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. Bridging art studies, activism, and environmental research, the book analyses how artists in the region engage with ecocritical reflection, biodiversity advocacy, sustainable practices, and environmental justice. Offering timely and critical perspectives, it highlights diverse scholarly voices grounded in the cultural, artistic, and environmental specificities of local communities and contexts across East and Southeast Asia.