ASIA
26 March 2014
Art & the Asianization of Canada
The Asianization of Canada is now moving apace. And over the past year, Toronto's East Gallery has been a vivid symbol of this Asianization.
The Asianization of Canada's economy, society and culture is now moving apace. And over the past year, Toronto's East Gallery has been a vivid symbol of this Asianization. The East Gallery is now spreading its wings by "going national".
The modern development of Canada has been substantially driven by migration and investment from Western countries -- as is also the case for the US, Australia and New Zealand. But this period of Westernization is now being complemented by the new trend of Asianization.
For example, over the past decade, Asia has accounted for around half of Canada's permanent resident immigrants, with the lion's share coming from just four countries -- China, Philippines, India and Pakistan.
More than half of the quarter million international students in Canada come from China, India and Korea. And China has also been the fastest growing source of tourists in recent times.
Canada's economic relationship with Asia is, however, much less developed. Asia now accounts for only 6% of Canada's exports. For their part, Asian exporters have been more successful penetrating Canadian markets, and now account for 20% of Canadian imports.
On the cultural scene, Asian films attract great interest at the Toronto International Film Festival. While Indian, Korean, and Japanese films have a well established place, even the Philippines was well represented this year with five films. And Asia now has a "Film Summit" in Toronto.
Until the arrival of the East Gallery a year ago, Asian painting was barely present in Toronto. However, through a stunning series of exhibitions of contemporary painting from Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the East Gallery has introduced an outstanding array of Southeast Asian artists to Torontonians. These exhibitions have been a nice complement to other local events, most notably the exhibitions of Ai Weiwei's work, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario.
After a very successful year in Toronto, the East Gallery has decided to "go national", and take its exhibitions to Canada's other cities.
Why? Quite simply because the metier of "galleryist" involves animating a dialogue, an exchange, between artists, art collectors, aficionados and the general public. And the immense diversity of Canada's urban centers offers a vast pallette of possibilities for this.
From Vancouver, the country's truly Asian city, with some 40% of Vancouvans coming from Asia. To Montreal, with its pretensions to being "Canada's Cultural Capital". And Ottawa, Canada's capital, with ambassadors from the entire world, and leading economic, political and cultural think tanks.
Fortunately, the East Gallery will not be abandoning Toronto. It will still hold four different exhibitions in a variety of prominent gallery locations around town next year. It will focus its resources on fewer shows, but will continue to showcase leading artists from Southeast Asia and to schedule compelling special events for each exhibition.
Torontonians can also rest assured that the East Gallery will still also remain an "e-Gallery". Its stunning catalogue can be visited online, and also by appointment. And you can stay in touch via Facebook, and Twitter. See links below.
"Asian contemporary art represents a window onto the rapidly changing social, economic and political landscapes of this fascinating region. What has been most gratifying has been the extent to which these artists and their artwork have resonated with Canadians of all backgrounds. The future is very bright for Asian art in Canada,", East Gallery owner Andrew Fitzgerald told the ACI.
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com
The modern development of Canada has been substantially driven by migration and investment from Western countries -- as is also the case for the US, Australia and New Zealand. But this period of Westernization is now being complemented by the new trend of Asianization.
For example, over the past decade, Asia has accounted for around half of Canada's permanent resident immigrants, with the lion's share coming from just four countries -- China, Philippines, India and Pakistan.
More than half of the quarter million international students in Canada come from China, India and Korea. And China has also been the fastest growing source of tourists in recent times.
Canada's economic relationship with Asia is, however, much less developed. Asia now accounts for only 6% of Canada's exports. For their part, Asian exporters have been more successful penetrating Canadian markets, and now account for 20% of Canadian imports.
On the cultural scene, Asian films attract great interest at the Toronto International Film Festival. While Indian, Korean, and Japanese films have a well established place, even the Philippines was well represented this year with five films. And Asia now has a "Film Summit" in Toronto.
Until the arrival of the East Gallery a year ago, Asian painting was barely present in Toronto. However, through a stunning series of exhibitions of contemporary painting from Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the East Gallery has introduced an outstanding array of Southeast Asian artists to Torontonians. These exhibitions have been a nice complement to other local events, most notably the exhibitions of Ai Weiwei's work, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario.
After a very successful year in Toronto, the East Gallery has decided to "go national", and take its exhibitions to Canada's other cities.
Why? Quite simply because the metier of "galleryist" involves animating a dialogue, an exchange, between artists, art collectors, aficionados and the general public. And the immense diversity of Canada's urban centers offers a vast pallette of possibilities for this.
From Vancouver, the country's truly Asian city, with some 40% of Vancouvans coming from Asia. To Montreal, with its pretensions to being "Canada's Cultural Capital". And Ottawa, Canada's capital, with ambassadors from the entire world, and leading economic, political and cultural think tanks.
Fortunately, the East Gallery will not be abandoning Toronto. It will still hold four different exhibitions in a variety of prominent gallery locations around town next year. It will focus its resources on fewer shows, but will continue to showcase leading artists from Southeast Asia and to schedule compelling special events for each exhibition.
Torontonians can also rest assured that the East Gallery will still also remain an "e-Gallery". Its stunning catalogue can be visited online, and also by appointment. And you can stay in touch via Facebook, and Twitter. See links below.
"Asian contemporary art represents a window onto the rapidly changing social, economic and political landscapes of this fascinating region. What has been most gratifying has been the extent to which these artists and their artwork have resonated with Canadians of all backgrounds. The future is very bright for Asian art in Canada,", East Gallery owner Andrew Fitzgerald told the ACI.
Author
John WestExecutive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com