Exploring Southeast Asia with Affandi: The Humanist Artist

Description

Discover the wonders of Southeast Asia through art EXPLORING SOUTHEAST ASIA WITH... is a series of narrative non-fiction picture books for young readers between the ages of seven and twelve. Each book will focus on one national artist, taking readers through the country's history, the artist' place within its history, and how art is a reflection of our times. Each book contains critical thinking questions comprising visual thinking strategies (VTS), an enquiry-based method to encourage children to think about the content and formal structure of the artworks. The series encourages young children to read about artists who had made an impact on the art scene in Southeast Asia. The main character in this story is AFFANDI, perhaps Indonesia's most famous painter. Affandi was born during a time in Indonesia when only traditional Javanese art was considered art. Through the study of Affandi's work, readers will come to realise that Affandi is a painter with a unique method-he paints with his hands instead of a brush. Through his series of paintings of Borobodur, readers will also be taken through the history of Indonesia, focusing on the island of Java. They will learn about how Buddhism and Hinduism arrived in Indonesia and how that had influenced the culture of Indonesia. It will also take readers through the vibrant city of Yogyakarta, the artistic and cultural capital of Indonesia and highlight the famous royal palace there.

Eva Wong Nava Eva Wong Nava is an award-winning children's book author. She writes picture books to entertain, engage, and enthral young readers. She is also an art historian. When not writing for children, she meanders art museums and galleries waiHng for the next piece of art work to speak to her and inspire another story. She weaves stories from art at CarpeArte Journal. When not writing, Eva teaches the art of picture book creation through her workshops under the brand, Picture Book Matters. Eva can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook engaging people in conversations about art and stories. Jeffrey Say Jeffrey Say is an art historian specialising in Singapore and Southeast Asian art history. Jeffrey has been instrumental in the development of art history studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, supporting artists to develop a contextual and historical understanding of the evolution of visual arts. In 2009, he designed the world's first Master's programme focussing on Asian modern and contemporary art histories. Jeffrey is a public advocate of the importance of art history to Singapore. He is a frequent public speaker at museums, universities and galleries, and conducts short courses which remain hugely popular among various publics. Jeffrey is also a regular commentator on the local visual arts scene. An author of numerous essays on art, his seminal co- edited work Histories, Practices, Interventions- A Reader in Singapore Contemporary Art (2016) remains a critical anthology for researchers, curators and students on Singapore art to date. Quek Hong Shin Quek Hong Shin is a Singaporean freelance author and illustrator whose works include picture books like The Amazing Sarong, The Brilliant Oil Lamp and Universe of Feelings. The Incredible Basket, was the winner of Best Children's Book at the 2019 Singapore Book Awards. He is also the illustrator for other children's titles like The One and Only Inuka and the Ahoy, Navy! series that was published in celebration of the Republic of Singapore Navy's 50th Anniversary in 2017.