The Construction of “Chineseness’ in Avant-Garde Art during the Last Decade of the 20th Century

The aim of this study has been to examine developments in Chinese avant-garde art in the last decade of the twentieth century, looking particularly at how these practices manifested and deployed a sense of “Chineseness”.

This research pursues three fundamental objectives. Firstly, it investigates the “Chineseness” implied in avant-garde artworks. Secondly, it intends to compare the motivations and influential elements that shape Chinese cultural identities both in the domestic and global contexts. Thirdly, it discusses the perception of Chinese avant-garde art and its cultural identity in art criticisms and institutions. Aiming to explore how Chinese avant-garde art was shaped by and shaped Chinese cultural identity during the final decade of the 20th century, this thesis has examined both the theoretical and practical aspects of artistic engagement at home and overseas.