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Promoting Knowledge and Appreciation of
Asian Arts

Welcome to TAASA

Established in 1991, The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) is an association dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of Asian visual, applied and performance arts.

Join TAASA and our community of experts, art collectors and enthusiasts as we share our interests in the arts and culture of Asia.

Become a Member

Join the TAASA Community today and take advantage of our exclusive membership benefits.

Events

TAASA offers a wide range of activities for members and guests including symposia, lectures, previews of exhibitions and auctions, curator-led gallery visits, specialist study groups and social events.

Death Photography: Commemorating the Dead Through Photography in East Asia

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series
This presentation draws upon my dissertation titled “Death and Photography in East Asia: Funerary Use of Portrait Photography,” which compares the practice of funerary photo-portraiture in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam by examining the basic concepts underpinning it

Popular Photography and the Making of Modern Indonesia

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series
When Indonesia proclaimed its independence in 1945, the inhabitants of this vast archipelago characterized by a profusion of religions, languages, and cultures had little in common with each other beyond a desire to throw off the yoke of colonial rule. Professor Strassler will discuss how popular photographic practices enabled a diverse collection of people in Indonesia to begin to see themselves as modern Indonesians.

Tipu Sultan, the ‘Tiger of Mysore’ with Lindie Ward

NSW Textile Study Group Invitation
The magnificent and ruthless Tipu Sultan (1751-1799) of the Indian Kingdom of Mysore rose to power in the 1780s. At that time, India controlled 25% of world trade, and 80% of Britain's lucrative India trade concerned finely crafted textiles. France, too, was importing thousands of metres of 'toiles Indiennes' in direct competition with its sworn enemy, the British East India Company. This talk will look at Tipu's focus on textiles, the regions involved, and the often overlooked methods of distribution and finance of the Indian master traders. 

Death Photography: Commemorating the Dead Through Photography in East Asia

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series
This presentation draws upon my dissertation titled “Death and Photography in East Asia: Funerary Use of Portrait Photography,” which compares the practice of funerary photo-portraiture in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam by examining the basic concepts underpinning it

Popular Photography and the Making of Modern Indonesia

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series
When Indonesia proclaimed its independence in 1945, the inhabitants of this vast archipelago characterized by a profusion of religions, languages, and cultures had little in common with each other beyond a desire to throw off the yoke of colonial rule. Professor Strassler will discuss how popular photographic practices enabled a diverse collection of people in Indonesia to begin to see themselves as modern Indonesians.

Death Photography: Commemorating the Dead Through Photography in East Asia

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series
This presentation draws upon my dissertation titled “Death and Photography in East Asia: Funerary Use of Portrait Photography,” which compares the practice of funerary photo-portraiture in China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam by examining the basic concepts underpinning it

TAASA Review

Discover TAASA’s quarterly journal, offering lively contributions by experts, collectors and curators covering all aspects of the Asian arts, as well as keeping readers in touch with current exhibitions and events.

Latest Issue

The March issue has articles about textiles in Bhutan, India and Papua New Guinea, plus a moving obituary to Liz Williamson. It also covers indigenous artists in Nepal, the current state of museums in Indonesia, research into a pair of calligraphic screens; into a pair of Chinese vases, and research into a Mughal inlaid wood jewellry casket.

Video Lecture Library

Refresh your memory or access lectures you’ve missed by viewing past TAASA talks in our Video Lecture Library from leading experts in their field.

Study Groups

TAASA’s specialist study groups meet on a regular basis and are open to all members for in-depth study in a relaxed, social and collaborative environment.

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