“Art in Asia”

When ancient civilizations in Asia flourished, trade became a very important activity. In the
process of trading relationships among Asian countries, they started sharing their cultures and belief
systems. China, being one of the oldest civilizations in Asia, has a rich history when it comes to culture
and the arts. Most of their cultural and the arts. Japan initially influenced by China in terms of the arts.
Later on, they opened themselves to the Western world, allowing for the fusion of East and West. Both
Chinese and Japanese artworks are concrete manifestations of their cultural identify as a people.
Philippine Art was a product of several periods in history spanning from the pre-colonial period to the
contemporary times.

“CHINESE ART”

China is at the forefront of economic development.

Confucianism was the dominant way of life subscribed to by the general

public.

Confucius's Theory
"In order for society to work, one must learn how to sympathize others."

The China also had interactions with Western missionaries who came from India and brought some of
the Indian influences to China. Because of this, Indian models inspired a lot of Chinese artists for a
centuries. Chinese artists started making art that highlighted by their very own culture.
Most paintings were done in monumental styles wherein rocks and mountains served as a barrier.

Artists used sharp brush stokes to provide detail in their works.

Porcelain is one of the commonly used items to make decorative ornaments, such as vases and jars.
Themes of Chinese artworks:
Everyday activities
War and violence
Death
Nature

Note: Chinese artworks are infused with a

lots of symbolism. Art become an avenue for the artists to convey his reflection of the things he is aware
of.

“JAPANESE ART”

Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture, ink
painting and calligraphy on silk and paper, ukiyo-e paintings and woodblock prints, ceramics,
origami, and more recently manga which is modern Japanese cartoons and comics along with a
myriad of other types. It has a long history, ranging from the beginnings of human habitation in
Japan, sometime in the 10th millennium BC, to the present-day country.

The Great Wave off Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai

Painting is the preferred artistic expression in Japan, practiced by amateurs and professionals alike.
Until modern times, the Japanese wrote with a brush rather than a pen, and their familiarity with
brush techniques has made them particularly sensitive to the values and aesthetics of painting.
With the rise of popular culture in the Edo period, a style of woodblock prints became a major
form and its techniques were fine-tuned to produce colorful prints. The Japanese, in this period,
found sculpture a much less sympathetic medium for artistic expression; most Japanese sculpture is
 associated with religion, and the medium's use declined with the lessening importance of
traditional Buddhism.
The first settlers of Japan were the Jōmon people (c. 10,500 – c. 300 BCE[1]), named for the cord
markings that decorated the surfaces of their clay vessels, were nomadic hunter-gatherers who later
practiced organized farming and built cities with populations of hundreds if not thousands. They
built simple houses of wood and thatch set into shallow earthen pits to provide warmth from the
soil. They crafted lavishly decorated pottery storage vessels, clay figurines called dogū, and crystal
jewels
Dogū artwork sample

“PHILIPPINE ART”

Before the colonizers came to the Philippines, ethnic minorities have used art not only for daily
activities but also for religious rituals, and practices.

Most art forms used by ethnic communities include:

1. Pottery- is the easiest art forms used by the early Filipino people.
- One of the most prominent artifacts related to pottery is the “Manuggal Jar” which can
be found in palawan. This jar is representation of the early Filipinos religions beliefs and practices. It
serves a s a burial jar, which depicts two men rowing a boat.

2. Weaving- also one of the easiest forms of art expressions in the Philippines.
- One of the most popular artisans of weaving is the people from the Cordilleras, they are
known for their colorful “woven cloth” which also have both religions and practices value.
 - The T’boli people form Mindanao also known for their woven abaca cloth “t’nalak”.
They use this to make ornaments, which also represents their beliefs through symbols.

3. Carving- is the act of using tools to shape something from a material by scraping away portions of
that material.
- The Tausug and Maranao people are known for their “Okir”, which are design applied
to their woodcarvings. Okir is a design or pattern often rendered or carved in hardwood, brass, silver
and wall painting in curvilinear lines and Arabic geometric figures.

4. Use of Metal Work- It was only later that humans learned to extract metals from the earth and to
hammer them into objects. Metalwork includes vessels, utensils, ceremonial and ritualistic objects,
decorative objects, architectural ornamentation, personal ornament, sculpture, and weapons.

5. Jewerly- was used as amulets for protection to drive away evil spirits.
- The Cordilleras and Cotabato utilized jewelry as ornaments integrated in their clothing.

Spanish Colonial Period (1521-1898)

When the Spaniards discovered the Philippine during the sixteenth century, they introduced
their religion to the local people. Aside form obtaining there resources they had a goal to replace the
existing cultural practices and beliefs of the early Filipinos. The Spaniards used art to propagate their
Christian faith while at the same time, subtly establishing their foothold in the country. The Church,
just like in Western Europe at one point, became the sole patron of the arts. This can be evidently
seen through the constructions of churches. These churches house various relics and paintings. Being
under colonial rule, it is not surprising for Filipinos to express their indignation and desire for
liberation. Art become one of the avenues for Filipinos patriots and nationalists. One of the famous
works that expressed Filipino nationalism and stood against the colonizers would be Juan Luna’s
“Spolarium”. Juan Luna won gold medal and win signaled the start of Filipino’s call for equality.

American Colonial Period (1898-1940)

When the Philippines was liberated form Spanish rule, the Americans took over to establish a
colonial government. They also propagated their culture and beliefs through the implementation of
public school systems. Art had a new role in advertising American-controlled markets. After the
World War II, the Philippines saw itself as an independent state transitioning into the formation of its
national identity. Artist focused on modern takes when it comes to content, form and subject matter.
A debate merged whether art should be done as “proletarian art” or “art for art’s sake”. A triumvirate
of artists was formed Carlos Francisco, Galo B. Ocampo and Edades.

Philippine Christian University

Sampaloc 1, City of Dasmarias, Cavite
College of Business and Technology

Art Appreciation
(Class 4)
Written Report
Art in Asia

Submitted By:
Ramiro, Jeremy P.
Rofuli, Justhine M.
Rom Kianna J.
Santiago, Christian T.
Sioson, Paul A.

Submitted To:
Mr. Jemuel S. Vidal, LPT