Name: Gerald Tan
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: Buddhist Art and the Development of Neo-traditionalism in Thailand
Thesis Abstract
This thesis sets out to chart the development of traditional Buddhist art through the course of Thai history to the contemporary period. It aims to show how the original didactic practice of Buddhist art has deviated into neo-traditionalism, where Buddhism is used in art to assert Thai identity, critique society and the political structures of the country via diverse methods and art forms. Using James Elkins’ “On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art” as the basis of its argument, the aim of this thesis is to assert that art in Thailand still maintains a connectivity between the Buddhist religion and contemporary art. Through neo-traditionalism, Thai contemporary art has actually exemplified the influence of Buddhism through different levels of significance and complexities

Name: Rachel Oren
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: The Reappearance of Animistic Symbols In Southeast Asian Art
Thesis Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the paradoxical reappearance of animist and mythology symbols within the art production of selected four Southeast Asian artists from three countries. By incorporating spiritual, and mythological icons in their artworks, these artists have managed to create an experimental artistic language concerned with the relation between power, history and cultures, secularism and collective memories, in a globalised world. This thesis draws from anthropological perspectives to show the strong influence of animistic and mythological culture on Southeast Asian artists, and to assess how the artists have managed to create unique voices of their own. Thirty artworks have been investigated and interviews with two artists were conducted to show the level of incorporation of the animist symbols, as well as the similarities and differences among the four artists.

Name: Loredana Paracciani
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: The Role of Art Education in Bangkok And its Relevance On Twenty-First Century Thai Art Practices
Thesis Abstract:
This is a study of twenty-first century art education in Thailand and the role it plays on the contemporary art scene. Scholarly focus on contemporary Thai art, in English, is relatively recent and mostly conducted within a regional framework whereby Thai art is approached as part of the wider Southeast Asian region. This thesis extends the study of Thai art towards local investigation, that is, focusing on the educational training and background of young and emerging Thai artists in order to examine two critical links: first, the link between art education and emerging art practitioners; second, the link between contemporary art practice and common themes and methodologies fostered among young artists.

Name: Peggy Wang Ying
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: Wu Dayu: A Forgotten Star
Thesis Abstract:
Wu Dayu was an artist whose students include seminal figures like Wu Guangzhong, Zhu Dequn and Zhao Wuji. These great artists have praised his genius and his philosophical ideals. The few works of Wu’s that remain convey both breadth of vision and the artist’s exceptional success in exploring abstract lines and rich colour in the oil medium.

Name: Paul Khoo
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: The Trials of Indonesian Conceptualism
Thesis Abstract:
This thesis aims to develop a different definition of conceptual art in Indonesia using a theory of Latin American conceptualism. This study traces its development to the Gerakan Seni Rupa Baru movement and its offshoots; contrast it with activist art; and study its transformation by nineties generation artists.

Name: Krisstel Martin
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: The Women of Hendra Gunawan’s Paintings
Thesis Abstract:
Women are often portrayed in Hendra Gunawan’s works; they play a key role in expressing his thoughts and ideas of his country at that time in history. This thesis also explores how much of his representation of women was based on observation and how much was based on his idealisation of women.

Name: Daniela Beltrani
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: The Concept of Art and Artist in the Oeuvre of Heri Dono
Thesis Abstract:
This thesis proposes a concept of art and artist from within an Indonesian context. The process adopted will involve, on the one hand, an analysis of a theoretical frame within Indonesian art discourse and, on the other, an analysis of a selection of works from the diverse artistic practice of Heri Dono.

Name of student: Vidya Gnana Gouresan
Year: 2011
Thesis Title: A Cultural Biography of the Nataraja Image
Thesis Abstract:
The thesis traces the cultural biography of the image of the Nataraja (a god in Hindu mythology and culture), and investigates the manner(s) in which the image of the Nataraja is appropriated, re-contextualised and commoditised in Indian modern and contemporary art.