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Southeast Asia in Photos


Timor Runguranga: A photographic journey through Timor-Leste
David Palazón

Eight years in the making, Timor Rungaranga is an epic photobook, taking you on an unforgettable journey through the wild, wild east of Timor-Leste. An uncut diamond at the edge of the world, the country’s surreal and sublime nature is explored through a striking and vast collection of visual essays. David Palazón’s curious nature and unique sense of humour bring us close into the hearts and lives of Timorese people, capturing the fleeting, incidental moments of those he met on his journey through this young nation. A country of unparalleled beauty, yet unrivalled contradictions, where old traditions collide with new modern worlds, and the sacred meets the profane. This photobook is the first of-its-kind coming out from the youngest nation in Asia. Additionally, it features carefully selected contributions by leading authors, artists, and photographers, giving further depth to this outstanding visual exploration of this young nation. An unconventional gem of a photobook, and a must-have for anyone interested in Timor-Leste.

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Photography in Southeast Asia: A Survey
Zhuang Wubin

Photography in Southeast Asia: A Survey is a comprehensive attempt to map the emergence and trajectories of photographic practices in Southeast Asia. The narrative begins in the colonial era, at the point when the transfer of photographic technology occurred between visiting practitioners and local photographers. With individual chapters dedicated to the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam, the bulk of the book spans the post-WWII era to the contemporary, focusing on practitioners who operate with agency and autonomy. The relationship between art and photography, which has been defined very narrowly over the decades, is re-examined in the process. Photography also offers an entry point into the cultural and social practices of the region, and a prism into the personal desires and creative decisions of its practitioners.

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Masterworks from India and Southeast Asia
Kimberly Masteller

Spanning two millennia and the breadth of southern Asia, the thirty-seven masterworks presented here introduce the reader to the great artistic achievements of India and Southeast Asia. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is world-renowned for its Asian collections, and this beautifully illustrated volume demonstrates why. In this catalogue readers will explore idealized sculptures created in stone and bronze, examples of richly carved woode architecture, vibrant paintings, and luxurious textiles and furniture as diverse in style as the cultures they represent. The works fall into two general categories: art for religious use, associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism; and courtly and decorative arts, associated with the Mughal and Rajput courts and the eclectic tastes of the Colonial Era.

Each work is accompanied by a detailed essay exploring its cultural and aesthetic significance. The introduction examines the history of the collection and provides a general framework for appreciating and interpreting South and Southeast Asian Art. This elegant and informative book will be enjoyed by scholars and art lovers alike.

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Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia
John Guy

Numerous Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished in Southeast Asia from the 5th to the 9th century, yet until recently few concrete details were known about them. Lost Kingdoms reveals newly discovered architectural and sculptural relics from this region, which provide key insights into the formerly mysterious kingdoms. The first publication to use sculpture as a lens to explore this period of Southeast Asian history, Lost Kingdoms offers a significant contribution and a fresh approach to the study of cultures in Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, and other countries.

Authoritative texts by John Guy introduce more than 160 objects, extensively described and beautifully illustrated, together with essays by prominent scholars. Many of the objects have never before traveled outside their home countries. Gorgeous photography shot on location highlights each artwork, and maps and a glossary of place names elucidate their geographical context. A watershed study of Southeast Asia’s artistic and cultural legacy, Lost Kingdoms is an essential resource on a fascinating and enduring subject.

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