The Asian Arts Society of Australia

Promoting Knowledge and Appreciation of

Asian Arts

Welcome to TAASA

Established in 1991, The Asian Arts Society of Australia (TAASA) is an association dedicated to promoting knowledge and appreciation of Asian visual, applied and performance arts.

Join TAASA and our community of experts, art collectors and enthusiasts as we share our interests in the arts and culture of Asia.

Become a Member

Join the TAASA Community today and take advantage of our exclusive membership benefits.

Events

TAASA offers a wide range of activities for members and guests including symposia, lectures, previews of exhibitions and auctions, curator-led gallery visits, specialist study groups and social events.

From Sarong to Sari: Rabindranath Tagore and the Batik of Java

NSW Textile Study Group Event with Maria Wronska-Friend

Following his 1927 visit to Indonesia, Rabindranath Tagore - the great Indian writer and artist - introduced the technique of Javanese batik to West Bengal. It evolved into a significant cottage industry, nowadays practised by several thousand people. The talk will be illustrated with batik saris made at Santiniketan in West Bengal.

Isidore van Kinsbergen: Photo Pioneer in the Dutch-East Indies

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series

This presentation will introduce the work of Van Kinsbergen and investigate how his images shaped the visual identity of the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch colonial government engaged him as a ‘scientific photographer’ to document, amongst other things, Javanese antiquities.

TAASA MEMBERS PREVIEW OF BONHAMS AUCTION

On 2 and 3 April Bonhams is offering an important collection of Chinese textiles and official ceramics, the most comprehensive survey of later Chinese textiles to come to the market in Australia. It includes more than 40 formal and informal gowns, some attributed to the Empress Dowager Cixi’s wardrobe, and countless dress accessories including fan cases, purses, collars, hats, shoes, rank badges.

From Sarong to Sari: Rabindranath Tagore and the Batik of Java

NSW Textile Study Group Event with Maria Wronska-Friend

Isidore van Kinsbergen: Photo Pioneer in the Dutch-East Indies

Beyond the Lens Zoom Series

From Sarong to Sari: Rabindranath Tagore and the Batik of Java

NSW Textile Study Group Event with Maria Wronska-Friend

TAASA Review

Discover TAASA’s quarterly journal, offering lively contributions by experts, collectors and curators covering all aspects of the Asian arts, as well as keeping readers in touch with current exhibitions and events.

Latest Issue

The March issue has articles about textiles in Bhutan, India and Papua New Guinea, plus a moving obituary to Liz Williamson. It also covers indigenous artists in Nepal, the current state of museums in Indonesia, research into a pair of calligraphic screens; into a pair of Chinese vases, and research into a Mughal inlaid wood jewellry casket.

Video Lecture Library

Refresh your memory or access lectures you’ve missed by viewing past TAASA talks in our Video Lecture Library from leading experts in their field.

Study Groups

TAASA’s specialist study groups meet on a regular basis and are open to all members for in-depth study in a relaxed, social and collaborative environment.

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