ABSTRACT
MOST MODERN PEOPLE THINK of art as “self expression.” It may come as asurprise for many to know that historically and cross culturally art has not been considered in that light. Art has been viewed as craft, as a medium for religious devotion, as propaganda, as a vehicle for enlightenment, and as the pure investigation of form. None of these necessarily involves the element of self-expression as a primary function of art. In addition, the concept “self” (inherent in self-expression) has varied across time and place and has been particularly deconstructed in the context of postmodernism. Recently, postmodernist theorists have placed a larger emphasis on social dimensions of art; this might lead us to replace the idea of selfexpression with that of self-representation. To represent oneself appears to be a social act, especially when there is an element of persuasion or strategic positioning in the act of representation. What, then, are some of the key points to consider when we think about self-expression or self-representation cross culturally?
