Arts of Southeast Asia

Book excerpt: "The pagodas of Burma, the temples of Angkor, the great Buddhist monument of Borobudur - these achievements of powerful courts and rulers are the most familiar part of a broad artistic tradition that includes textiles, sculpture, offers new insights into the interpretation and importance of Southeast Asian art, and local artistis are embracing new subjects and media as the area opens up to world travel and communication. Covering Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, Dr Kerlogue examines the roots and development of the arts of this distinctive region from prehistory to the present day. The book traces the reflection of indigenous beliefs and world religions - Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity - in artistic expression, arriving at an exploration of the post-colonial period."--Back cover.