By Mark Tungate
Europe – Paris is playing host this spring to a group of contemporary artists from South East Asia showcasing their work for the “The Secret Archipelago” exhibit at the Palais de Tokyo, the city’s leading contemporary art space. The idea is that artists from the region use forms of expression largely unfamiliar to Western audiences.
More than 40 works are on show by over 30 artists, many of whom are exhibiting outside their own country for the first time. It’s partly an acknowledgement that South East Asian artists are becoming attractive to international collectors, although the press material says the event aims to shed light on those who have “escaped the radar of the international art world”.
 Orang Seberang by Reza Afisina |  Exhibition view by Aurelien Mole |
The chosen artists tend to tone down Western influences in favour of their own heritage. The rich and inspiring exhibition covers a broad swathe of media, from sculptures to installations, not to mention random pop-up performances. It’s a co-production of the Palais de Tokyo and the National Heritage Board Singapore.
The Secret Archipelago can be seen at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, until May 17.
The full list of artists on show:
Mark Tungate is a British journalist based in Paris. He is editorial director of the Epica Awards, the only global creative awards judged by the specialist press. Mark is the author of six books about branding and marketing, including the recent Branded Beauty: How Marketing Changed the Way We Look.
