From Modernism to Post-modernism
DOT: The De-Tribulization of Tam Binti Che Lat (1983) (ht 121 cm) by Ismail Zain was one of the earliest Malaysian works to depict the displacement of traditional communities in the face of rapid social change and consumerism.
Whereas some Malaysian artists had turned to traditional influences and techniques in their attempts to define artistic identity, other artists were exposed to the international avant-garde art contexts. During the 1960s, newly returned, Western-trained artists introduced abstractionist approaches in creativity. Since the 1980s, local artists have become involved with figurative art, socio-political critiques and globalization issues, motivated by the new influences of post-modernist thinking. They project more reflexive and critical attitudes in their artistic endeavours.