1 1 Contemporary art by Chinese diaspora in a global age East Asian Journal of Popular Culture EAJPC 2.2. (July 2016), pp. 267-285 (preprint) https://doi.org/10.1386/eapc.2.2.267_1 Patricia Eichenbaum Karetzky, Bard College ABSTRACT The art of overseas Chinese with its obvious connections with homeland culture is characteristic of the diaspora ethos. Traditional themes regularly appear: landscapes usually executed in traditional monochrome brush and ink, rock gardens, Chinese characters and calligraphy, historical references, and cultural emblems. In addition, it seems as though such artists are impelled to introduce the world to the merits of their heritage. Living among foreigners and experiencing western culture, new digital media, Internet access, freedom of expression, educational opportunities and global markets has broadened their perspective and their art. For this reason, their work does not look traditional: it makes use of new media, venues and forms of presentation and addresses a global rather than national arena. Although a wave of the most successful diaspora artists returned to China, they maintain a base of operation in the West and their art retains the characteristics they acquired living abroad. KEYWORDS diaspora, landscape, calligraphy, digital art, Internet, Chinese contemporary art The particular characteristics of diaspora art are well known. Forced to migrate, due to war, politics, natural disasters, famine and more, émigré artists resettle in their new home and make art that is inextricably linked both to their former national identity and to their new living circumstances. The art of the twentieth century is surely dominated by the achievements of such artists. Of the several waves of emigrants who left China, many artists returned to live and work in China, even those who were critical of the regime. With advanced communication technology – cell phones, Internet and constant air travel – they can maintain contact with western markets and art institutions, which diminishes both physical and cultural distances. This essay examines the art of several such Chinese artists and the global context of their art production. It will be shown that the experience of living in the West for a period of years had an effect on their art, which is still evident