The effects of globalization touch upon art and cultural practices, as well as on social and economic issues and configurations of power and relationships. While the international flow of people, goods and ideas nurture cultural interactions among ethnic Chinese and non-Chinese, global awareness of cultural differences has changed the nature of artistic creativity, connoisseurship, consumption and
education. The continent of Greater China embraces diverse identities, cultures and experiences. How are both the commonalities and the distinctiveness of local art and culture in different geographic regions upheld in the age of globalization? How do artists see their rootedness, their transnational experiences and the regional variations in Chinese art and culture? How do their arts retain notions of “Chineseness” along with a global perspective? Who plays a part in constructing and sustaining the local culture and identity of place? How can artistic creation transcend national boundaries without withering the tradition and indigenous creativity of the motherland? This international and interdisciplinary conference aims to create dialogue among specialists and practitioners from the fields of Fine Art, Art History, Museum Studies, Visual Culture, Cultural Studies and other relevant disciplines, examining the role and significance of local art and cultures in balancing the impact of globalization. Focusing on the cultural ties between mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, the conference seeks to explore the representation of national and cultural identities in the creative arts produced in all of these regions. It is also designed to encourage discussion about the preservation and deployment of local art and heritage in cultural policy, art education and museum practice.