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Perspectives on the Past

The women entrepreneurs of early modern Vietnam

Their contributions were fundamental to shaping Vietnam’s early modern social, religious, and economic society, but historical scholarship has neglected their experiences for centuries.

Whose history, whose future? Creating a new legacy of shared maritime heritage

Proactive engagement, people-to-people connections, developing mutual trust and respect is essential to protect Perth for the future.

Forgotten art history: the art of Chinese-Indonesian women in the 20th century

Uncovering transnational and gendered experiences reveals a far richer and more multifaceted picture of Indonesian art and identity.

At what cost: The impact of Indonesia’s Omnibus law on underwater cultural heritage

Why, after such a long hiatus, is underwater cultural heritage is once again being considered as an economic, not an archaeological or historical, resource?

Remembering HMAS Perth (I) for the future

For Indonesia and Australia, the salvage of Perth has put maritime heritage cooperation into the spotlight, prompting greater bilateral engagement.

Age of Empires II: Rise of the Rajas – playing the past in Southeast Asia

For better or worse, players and game designers are part of the project of making Southeast Asian history.

Was Majapahit really an empire?

A critical reflection on the emergence, dominance and legacy of Java’s historic ‘empire’.

Human rights and heritage sites in Myanmar: An irreconcilable juxtaposition or a productive conversation?

What does world heritage inscription mean in a country where human rights abuses are ongoing?

Not the Emperor’s, not the King’s, but the Straits Chinese

Ann Ang discusses the historical context, origins and identity of the Straits Chinese.

The medieval tropics

Medieval artefacts and manuscripts are explored by Alex West to give insight on the deep past of Southeast Asia.

Disappearing Japan: Vajiravudh’s translations of The Mikado and the Thai elite’s admiration of Japan

On what translation can tell us about Thai society and its perspectives on its regional neighbours.

Millenia of maritime mastery: Philip Bowring’s ‘Empire of the Winds’

Though Austronesians operated in networks of oceanic trading that stretched from Asia to the Mediterranean for thousands of years, both the term and cultural grouping are little known.

Making and unmaking decolonisation: Civilised by The Necessary Stage (Singapore)

Nien Yuan Cheng continues her commentary on how Singapore artists are responding to the Bicentennial.

“I feel blessed (to be a Singaporean)”: MY Bridge of Light by the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC

Part 2 of this 3-part series on the SG Bicentennial explores MY Bridge of Light, a community play sponsored by the official bicentennial fund.

Bodies of/in water and the reversal of colonialism? Arus Balik at the NTU Centre of Contemporary Art

PoP's Cheng Nien Yuan continues her commentary on Singapore's Bicentennial.

Exhibition review: ‘Bali: Welcome to Paradise’

Vannessa Hearman on a Dutch exhibition on Bali that "packs a punch".

Will oil hunters destroy Thailand’s biggest ancient city?

A proposal to build oil drilling rigs 100 metres from an archaeological site near Si Thep Historical Park jeopardises what may be Thailand's oldest and biggest ancient city.

Queer theory: a note from Indonesia

Perspectives on the Past's LGBTQ+ history month continues with a reflection on queer theory's portability.

Lesbian history in Thailand: value in traces

To kick off LBGTQ+ history month, Emily Donald looks at lesbian history and women’s sexuality in Thailand.

Indonesia at the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art

A despatch from Brisbane, where an eclectic selection of Indonesian works stands out at the APT.

Lost in literature: the misuse of western sources and perspectives [Part III]

On the the misuse of western historical sources in the search for Suvarnabhumi.

Why we should be funding research on the post-Orientalist arts of the Straits of Malacca*

A personal reflection on the importance of academic freedom

Lost in literature: the political and religious consequences of Suvarnabhumi [Part II]

On nationalism, religion, archaeology, folklore and pseudo-history.

Lost in literature: why we need to stop the quest for Suvarnabhumi [Part 1]

The idea of finding the El Dorado of Asia is a continuing obsession.