Wu Hung's 2010 MoMA Publication Shapes Chinese Contemporary Art Canon, Excluding Ink and Academic Painting

Francesca Dal Lago offers a critique of 'Contemporary Chinese Art: Primary Documents,' a 2010 publication edited by Wu Hung and released by the New York Museum of Modern Art. This book, part of a series that translates critical writings from lesser-known art regions into English, features essays that explore the roots of Chinese contemporary art dating back to the late 1970s. Dal Lago argues that the book’s prestigious publisher endorses a process of canonization that neglects contemporary practices such as ink and academic painting. These art forms, rich in their unique cultural histories, are often excluded from a global art narrative still heavily influenced by Euro-American modernism. Published on October 5, 2014, the essay discusses how editorial choices affect the understanding of art globalization, emphasizing the conflict between comprehensive documentation and the exclusion of specific artistic traditions. Access to the content is available through MIT Press under subscription-only conditions.