Lesson 11: Art in Asia Most painting- wherein rocks and
mountains served as a barrier that
Chinese Art
made the viewer distracted initially from
Japanese Art the main subject of the work.
Philippine Art Rounded forms rise in a way that it
Chinese Art flows from background into the
foreground.
China is the most forefront of economic
development. Used sharp brushstrokes
Excavated pieces show bronze vessels Porcelain - is one of the commonly
with intricate designs depicting a lot of used items to make decorative
imagery dating from the second ornament.
millennium BCE. Depicts a central theme: NATURE
During the Zhou Dynasty, the Chinese
was under a feudal kind of social
Japanese Art
system.
Undergoes a series of transitions and
Parallel period with that of Greece
periodization.
Golden Age
Embracing Western influences and
Confucianism was the dominant way of
modernization.
life.
Ceramic figures and ornaments.
Had interactions with Western
missionaries from India and brought Korean and Chinese influences evident
some Indian influences to China. in Japanese artworks.
Inspired by Indian models Haniwa- one of the ceramic products
created by the Japanese.
In sixth century, they started making art
that highlighted their very own culture. Shintoism - native religion of Japan
(doesn’t use art to communicate to
Painting- magical places and realms
beliefs.
that were born of sheer imagination.
Influenced by the Chinese with their Reflects their belief in afterlife (the
religious beliefs and practices. crossing of the body of water is
transition form life here on earth unto
Buddhism- became an integral part of
the next.
Japanese cultures.
Weaving - one of the earliest forms of
Influenced by China in terms of
expressions in the Philippines.
paintings.
Most popular artisans of weaving is the
After fourteenth century, Japan
people from the Cordilleras.
islolated itself from the rest of the
world. Known for their woven cloth
Painting leaned toward abstract and T’boli people from Mindanao are also
naturalistic handling. both religious
Adapted a more minimalist take on T’boli people from Mindanao are also
their paintings. known for their woven abaca, “T’nalak.”
Ukiyo-e - kind of painting which was Use particular cloth to make
crafted through woodcut prints. ornaments, which also represent their
beliefs through symbols.
Used lines and colors in a very
distinctive manner. Frog - representation for fertility.
In Mindanao, the Tausug and Maranao
people are known for their okir, which
Philippine Art
are designs applied to their
Pottery - one of the earliest art forms woodcarvings.
used by the Early Filipino people.
Sarimanok, naga and the pako rabong.
Manunggal Jar - one of the most
Sarimanok- is a stylized design of a
prominent artifacts, found in Palawan,
mythical bird either standing on a fish
representation of the early Filipinos’
or holding a piece of fish on its beak.
religious beliefs and practices.
The Sultan’s act paved the way for the
Serves as a burial jar, which depict two
term “sarimanok”.
men rowing a boat.
Naga - forms an S-shape, depicting an styles, techniques, and methods
elaborate figure of a mythical dragon or emerging.
serpent.
Most artworks were reflections of the
The sarimanok and naga are usually political, social, and economic situation
used as ornamental designs for the of the Philippines during the Marcos
houses of sultans. administraion.
Sixteenth century, the Spaniards Beautiful and idealistic imagery was
introduced their religion to the local replaced with aggressive undertones.
people.
The artworks were reflections of the
Art was used by the Spaniards to general feel of the people based on the
propagate their Christian faith, while at political situation during that time.
the same time, subtly establishing their
When former President Ferdinand
foothold in the country.
Marcos declared Martial Law, social
The Church became the sole patron of realism became the norm.
the arts.
Most artworks were forms of protest
Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” - one of the against the government’s suppression
most famous works that expressed of freedom of speech and expression.
Filipino nationalism and stood against
the colonizers.
After the Spanish rule, the Americans
took over.
They also propagated their culture and
beliefs through the implementation of
public school systems.
A debate emerged on whether art
should be done as “proletarian art” or
“art for art’s sake”.
1960 - proved to be a period of
modernism and dynamism with lots of
