Identity Reconstruction and Symbolic Appropriation in Contemporary Southeast Asian Art in the Postcolonial Context

Abstract

Under the continuous influence of postcolonial theory, contemporary art in Southeast Asia has shifted towards the phenomena of identity reconstruction and symbolic appropriation, presenting complex and diverse cultural characteristics. This article systematically examines how Southeast Asian artists, through the appropriation of colonial symbols, the reconstruction of traditional images, and the integration of multicultural elements, respond to historical traumas and rebuild cultural subjectivity. The study argues that contemporary Southeast Asian art, through symbolic appropriation strategies, not only deconstructs the authority of colonial discourse but also reconstructs the local cultural identity, forming a critical and creative cultural practice. This research provides strong support for understanding the identity political cultural strategies of non-Western art in the context of globalization, and has important reference value for contemporary art criticism and cultural studies. Moreover, its practical application cannot be ignored.

https://doi.org/10.65281/905179