Robert Oxnam is the former president of the Asia Society (1981-92), a China consultant for US emissaries – George H. W. Bush and Cyrus Vance among them – and a renowned Asia scholar. In conversation with Joyce Beckenstein, Oxnam discusses traditional Chinese art and culture from these varied perspectives, and reveals the inspiration behind his own sculptural works. He also considers the relevance of Chinese traditional culture in contemporary art practices as China emerges as a world power.