Lesson 11

Art in Asia
Prepared by: Romel H. Alferes

Learning outcomes:
a. By the end of this lesson, the learners must have:
b. Identified key influences to Chinese art;
c. Identified key characteristics of Japanese art;
d. Compared and contrasted Chinese and Japanese
artworks;
e. Traced the development of Philippine art;
f. Discussed the concept okir, and
g. Explained how art can be a key to element in the
formation of society’s culture.

When ancient civilizations in Asia flourished, trade became a

very important activity. In the process of establishing 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 even religious beliefs
and practices are represented through artworks. Japan was
initially influenced by China in terms of the arts. Later 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 identity as a people.
Philippine art was a product of several periods in history from
the pre-colonial period to the contemporary times. Depending
on a given context, art in the Philippines has served various
uses from everyday living to expression belief systems and
advocacies.

Chinese
Art in the present context, China is at the forefront of economic development. Its booming
economy has led to its modernization. In addition, history shows that China has been at the leading
edge of development especially in terms of cultural development. Inhabitants of China in the past
were able to produce primitive artisan works. Excavated pieces show bronze vessels with intricate
designs depicting a lot of imagery dating from the second millennium BCE. The Chinese during
the Zhou Dynasty was under a feudal kind of social system. It was a parallel period with that of
Greece's Golden Age: a period when culture, particularly art, has flourished tremendously. During
this period, metal works befitting the royal family were produced in abundance. Jade was also a
popular choice of material for artworks.

Confucianism was the dominant way of life subscribed to by the general public. Those who
subscribed to principles espoused by Confucius believed that in order for society to work, one
must learn how to sympathize to others. These principles became evident in most artworks
depicting everyday life and how these social interactions come to play.

The Chinese 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 few centuries. By the start of the sixth century, Chinese artists started making art that
highlighted their very own culture. Paintings usually depicted magical places and realms that were
born out of Sheer imagination while still infusing the Chinese characters that define their culture.
It was a dominant belief that a great power coming from a higher spirit is the one moving the artist
and his work together.

Most paintings were done in monumental styles wherein rocks and mountains served as a barrier
that made the viewer distracted initially from the main subject of the work. Rounded forms rise in
a way that it flows from the background into the foreground. Artists also used sharp brushstrokes
to provide detail in their works. Western landscapes usually had a single vanishing point while
Chinese paintings had the opposite since most paintings aimed to give the audience a multiple
perspective on the subject.

Porcelain is one of the commonly used items to make

decorative ornaments, such as vases and jars. Some
artifacts from excavation sites show intricate works of the
Chinese in these porcelain vases. This can be attributed to
the tradition of passing down the artistry from one
generation to the next. Just like most Chinese artworks, the
focal point in these vases depicts a central theme: nature.
They believe that man is an integral part of nature ensuring
that there is a certain balance in it. But part of their culture
is emphasizing a form of social life, giving importance to
communities and interactions among people. In addition,
some of the common overarching themes of Chinese
artworks include everyday activities, war and violence,
death, and nature. It can also be noted that Chinese
artworks are infused with a lot of symbolisms. Art becomes
Porcelain Vase from China
an avenue for the artist to convey his reflection of the things
he is aware of.
It is customary for the ancient Chinese people to show respect for their ancestors and departed
relatives. From a Western point of view, this reverence of the Chinese can be mistaken for as that
of worshipping gods. Most of the departed of the ancient Chinese were placed in either gold or
bronze vessels, depending on their social status.

Japanese Art

Art in Japan has undergone a series of transitions and periodization. From being an isolated nation
to that of embracing Western influences and modernization, Japan has transitioned into a modern
cultural mixing pot. It is evident how the Japanese were able
to infuse local and indigenous materials with modern
Western subjects and focal points.
Based on artifacts such as ceramic figures and ornaments, it
is important to take note that there are Korean and Chinese
influences evident in Japanese artworks. One of the ceramic
products created by the Japanese is called Haniwa. These are
ceramic figures that are made up of clay. They are placed
beside burial spots for reasons that are unknown.

The native religion of Japan is Shintoism. Although, this

religion subscribes to beliefs such as being one with nature and Haniwa House
embracing the notion of the existence of many gods, it did not
use art to communicate its beliefs. When Japan established trading relations with China, they did
not only trade goods with them but they were also influenced by the Chinese with their religious
beliefs and practices. Buddhism became an integral part of Japanese culture. Artworks such as
images and sculptures of Buddha were produced. Buddhist temples also became staples in key
places. Art in essence became an expression of worship for the Japanese.

As mentioned earlier, Japan and China had a long-standing relationship. In addition to Buddhism,
China also influenced Japan in terms of paintings. After the fourteenth century, Japan isolated
itself from the rest of the world, which in effect, gave them the avenue to let their culture flourish.
The Japanese style of painting leaned toward abstract and naturalistic handling. In essence, the
artist is given the free reign for his work, which had more room for spontaneity and individuality.
Many artists focused on individual portraits, elements of nature, and scenes from everyday life in
creating their artworks. Although the Chinese influenced them, the Japanese adapted a more
minimalist take on their paintings. This is a stark contrast with the extravagant and sometimes
over-the-top designs of the Chinese. The Japanese also developed a kind of painting called the
ukiyo-e, which was crafted through woodcut prints. The artists developed a technique that used
lines and colors in a very distinctive manner. Some Western artists were intrigued and influenced
by these ukiyo-e paintings. An example would be the woodcuts of Hiroshige and Sharaku who had
a lasting impact on Western artists like Vincent van Gogh and Edouard Manet.

Philippine Art

Throughout Philippine history, spanning from the precolonial period to the contemporary periods,
different art forms have emerged in the Philippine art scene. 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 pottery, weaving, carving, and
the use of metalwork and jewelry.
Pottery is said to be one of the earliest art forms used by the early Filipino people. One of the most
prominent artifacts related to pottery is the Manunggal Jar found in Palawan. This jar is a
representation of the early Filipinos' religious beliefs and practices. It serves as a burial jar, which
depicts two men rowing a boat. This reflects their belief in afterlife—the crossing of the body of
water is a transition from life here on earth unto the next. Eventually, pottery produced items that
are of practical value for the early Filipinos, such as pots for cooking and large vases for storing.
Weaving was also one of the earliest 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 religious and practical value. The T'boli people from Mindanao
are also known for their woven abaca cloth called t'nalak. They use this particular cloth to make
ornaments, which also represent their beliefs through symbols. One example is the image of the
frog, which is their representation for fertility. Woodcarvings from Palawan also depict animals
like birds, which are representations of their religious beliefs. According to local stories, the birds
serve as the messengers of the people to the heavens and vice versa. In Mindanao, the Tausug and
Maranao people are known for their okir, which are designs applied to their woodcarvings. Their
common subjects include the sarimanok, naga, and the pako rabong. Each subject is a
representation for a certain theme or motif but generally, these symbols depict their beliefs as a
people. The sarimanok is a stylized design of a mythical bird either standing on a fish or holding
a piece of fish on its beak. The story of the sarimanok was a central figure to a number of legends.
One narrative tells the origin of the word sarimanok. A sultan of Lanao once threw a party for his
daughter named Sari who was beautiful but seemed unhappy with her situation. On the day of her
party, a rooster crashed and the princess ran off with the rooster. She was never found. In memory
of Sari, the Sultan carved a rooster. The Sultan's act paved the way for the term sarimanok. Initially,
jewelry was used as amulets for protection to drive away evil spirits. Eventually, some minority
groups from the Cordilleras and Cotabato utilized jewelry as ornaments integrated in their clothing.
The naga forms an S-shape, depicting an elaborate figure of a mythical dragon or serpent. The
numerous curved lines serving as detail for the figure depicts the scales. The pako rabong, on the
other hand, is like a growing fern with a broad base. The fern gracefully stems and tapers upward.
The sarimanok and naga are usually used as ornamental designs for the houses of the sultans.

Maranao Okir in 3D

When the Spaniards discovered the Philippines during the sixteenth century, they introduced their
religion to the local people. Aside from acquiring resources, they had a goal to replace the existing
indigenous cultural practices and beliefs of the early Filipinos. Art was used by the Spaniards 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 construction of churches. These churches house various
relics and paintings. There is an underlying move to integrate Western culture and ideals in the
Philippine setting. Being under colonial rule, it is not surprising for Filipinos to express their
indignation and desire for liberation. Art became one of the avenues for Filipino patriots and
nationalists. Probably one of the most famous works that expressed Filipino nationalism and stood
against the colonizers would be Juan Luna's "Spoliarium." This large-scale academic painting
garnered a gold medal and signified that the reformists could come at par with their European
counterparts. At the same time, Luna's win signaled the start of the Filipino's call for equality.

When the Philippines was liberated from the 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
World War Il, the Philippines saw itself as an independent state transitioning into the formation of
its national identity. Artists focused on modern takes when it comes to content, form, and subject
matter. In addition, a debate emerged on whether art should be done as "proletarian art" or "art
for art's sake." As modern paintings started to emerge, a triumvirate of artists was formed— Carlos
Francisco, Galo B. Ocampo, and Edades.
The 1960s proved to be a period of modernism and dynamism with a lot of styles, techniques, and
methods emerging. Most artworks were reflections of the political, social, and economic situation
of the Philippines during the Marcos administration. It was a period wherein people embodied and
advocated for nationalist ideals. This is the reason why there was a paradigm shift of subjects in
the artworks. Beautiful and idealistic imagery was replaced with aggressive undertones. The works
were reflections of the general feel of the people based on the political situation during that time.
When former President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, social realism became the norm.
Most artworks were forms of protest against the government's suppression of freedom of speech
and expression. In addition, some of the works reflected issues like economic problems, land
reforms, gender rights, worker's rights, and cultural minorities plaguing the Filipino people
brought about by the Martial Law. Eventually, photography has evolved into an art form, which
highlights various artistic expressions evident in a variety of events, scenes, and activities.

Let's Wrap It Up

Asian art, particularly Chinese and Japanese arts, has helped in the establishment of their identities
as a people. A common thread between the two cultures is the emphasis on religion and how man
is an integral part of society. China may have influenced Japan during the early part but later on,
Japan eventually welcomed Western ideas. There is a difference in terms of allowing Western
influences to be integrated in their works: China remained conventional whereas Japan chose to
let Western ideals be embodied in their artworks. The Philippines, on the other hand, has
undergone some changes when it comes to the art scene. From the time of the early Filipinos to
the contemporary times, art has been used in a myriad of ways.

Reference:
Caslib B. N. Jr., Garing, D., Casaul J. A. (2018): Art Appreciation, pp. 152-159