Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art Criticized for Western-Centric Framing

A critical review of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC, argues that the institution perpetuates a Western-centric view of Asia. The museum, comprising the Freer Gallery of Art (opened 1923) and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (1982), was rebranded in 2019 as the National Museum of Asian Art. The review highlights a press conference for the Centennial Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Festival in May, featuring Filipino food and K-pop, which the author describes as superficial. The museum's collections, built on the foundations of Charles Lang Freer and Arthur Sackler, are critiqued for Euro-American biases. Freer's collection, described by academic Kin-Yee Ian Shin, exemplifies late-19th-century American efforts to establish authority over Asian art. The current exhibition 'Freer's Global Network' (2022–) attempts to address criticism but fails to acknowledge the power dynamics. Displays like 'Body Image: Arts of the Indian Subcontinent' (2017–) and 'Prehistoric Spirals: Earthenware from Thailand' (2021–) are cited as reinforcing stereotypes. The museum's focus on pre-20th-century objects limits engagement with contemporary Asia. Deputy director Lori Duggan Gold and head of public programmes Nicole Dowd are mentioned. Director Chase F. Robinson stated the museum played a role in 'determining the canon' of Asian art.