Agnes Martin - Transcultural Translations: On the Construction of Asianist Aesthetics in American Art after 1945

The work of Agnes Martin has frequently been associated with East Asian philosophies. Particularly highlighting the oeuvre of this US artist, Mona Schieren presents comprehensive research on the influence of Asianist aesthetics in post-1945 American art. More than just historical analysis, her study opens an entirely new perspective on Martin’s appropriation of Asianisms by focusing on transcultural translation and redefining Martin’s work beyond Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism. This offers new viewpoints on the aesthetic, philosophical, and visual relationships in American postwar art and takes a nuanced approach that moves beyond generalized notions of “Zen” in the US art world. Schieren’s exploration of the intentional and specific uses of Asianist aesthetics profoundly contributes to insights in international art histories and cultural translations.