MODULE 3

DISTINGUISHING ARTIST FROM ARTISAN

Introduction

Art works are produced by either an artist or an artisan.

Each has his/her own role in the art arena. However, how could
we distinguish an artist from that of an artisan? How could we
know that the art works we are enjoying are created by an artist
or artisan? Undoubtedly, people get confused of these two terms.
Thus, this module deals on exploring the differences between an
artist and an artisan.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, you are expected to:

a. Distinguished artist from artisan;(Knowledge)
b. Researched an artist/artisan who has dedicated his/her
life to the cultivation of the arts.(Skill)
c. Demonstrated appreciation on the contribution of an
artist or artisan in the community.(Attitude)
Before we will start our discussion please answer the given
question below first.
Pre-test

Read and analyze the given statements below, then identify each
statement whether this refers to an artist or artisan.
_______1. He/She is able to produce something that has a
functional value.
_______2. He/She is a person who performs any of the creative
arts.
_______3. He/She is a skilled worker who makes things by hand.
_______4. He/She is able to create art for the of art itself
without needing any ulterior motives.
_______5. He/She has the skill of adding aesthetic value to the
objects that he/she creates.

Discussion

Who is an Artist?
Artists work in the fine arts, including painting,
illustration, and sculpture. All fine artists first learn to
sketch, and begin with a pencil and sketchpad to work with an
idea on paper. Artists transfer their vision to canvases or
other medium, and this may mean working in oil, watercolor or
pastel. Sculptors take their sketches and create 3D products
from clay, marble or other material. Illustrators might work for
a publishing or animation company, or create original comic
books. All artists’ work aims to create an overall reaction from
a viewer.
Generally, an artist is defined as an art practitioner who
produces or creates indirectly-functional arts with aesthetic
value using imagination.
They produce us pieces as the means of provoking our thought,
ideas and emotions that are necessary to discover ourselves and
our feelings.
Job responsibilities of an artist include:
a. Developing ideas for a canvas or product
b. Selecting a medium for a final work, including texture,
size, or area
c. Collecting work for a portfolio
d. Applying for grants for financial support

Take a look at these famous artists.

FERNANDO AMORSOLO
Fernando Cueto Amorsolo is one of the most
important artists in the history of painting in
the Philippines. Amorsolo was a portraitist and
painter of rural Philippine landscapes. He is
popularly known for his craftsmanship and
mastery in the use of light.
He painted and sketched more than ten thousand
pieces over his lifetime using natural and
backlighting techniques. His most known works
are of the dalagang Filipina, landscapes of
his Philippino homeland, portraits and WWII war scenes.

Born in Calle Herran in Paco, Manila, on May 30, 1892, Fernando

Amorsolo began drawing and sketching as a young boy. The family
lived in Daet until the death of his father. At that time his
mother moved the family to the home of her cousin, artist Don
Fabian dela Rosa in Manila. Amorsolo was 13 years old at the
time and in order to help provide for his
family, he sold his drawings and began to
study art under dela Rosa.
http://fernandoamorsolopaintings.com/Fernando_Amorsolo_Biography
_Page.htm

A closer look at this work will reveal brush strokes

executed with the ease of a virtuoso. The featured painting is
considered a masterpiece for the subtlety of its encoded
messages, which, in this case, has been described as national
pride. In stark contrast to the increasing westernization of the
urban capital Manila, this work is a celebration of the
pristine, rural Philippine countryside. The scene is bathed in
sunlight and features a country maiden. This work is a fine
example of this National Artist’s favorite subject and setting.
Amorsolo notes, “My conception of an ideal Filipina beauty is
one with a rounded face, not of the oval type... The eyes should
be exceptionally lively.

The nose should be of the blunt form but firm and

strongly marked… The ideal Filipino beauty should have a
sensuous mouth…not…white-complexioned, nor of the dark brown
color…but of the clear skin…which we often witness when we meet
a blushing girl.” For Amorsolo, the Filipino beauty was an
important symbol of national identity. The colors of the
Philippine flag are evident in the blue kerchief, red skirt, and
white blouse. The subject gazes directly at the viewer, holding
a generous bundle of newly harvested rice, a hope-filled moment
for the young
Philippines.

JUAN LUNA
Juan Luna is considered one of the greatest
Filipino artists in Philippine history with
masterpieces such as Spolarium, The Death of
Cleopatra and Blood Compact. Not only did he
excel in artistry, but he was also a
political activist during the time of the
Philippine Revolution during the late
th
19 century. His close friendship with
National Hero Jose
Rizal has sparked Philippine nationalism and
pride. Juan Luna was mostly known for his works as being
dramatic and dynamic, focusing on romanticism and realism styles
of art.
 http://vanz2005.tripod.com/vanz.html
This is the “Spoliarium” by Juan Novicio Luna, as masterpiece
created in 1884. It is one of the prize possessions of the
Philippine National Museum today. This
Neoclassical artwork earned Juan Luna 3 gold medal in the

Exposicion Nacional de
Bellas Artes and recognition
among the connoisseurs and
art critics. It was praise
so much that even Jose
Rizal, Philippine’s national
hero, prepared a speech for
Juan Luna, addressing two
things from his artwork, the
glorification of genius and
the grandeur of his artistic
skills. And it’s not a
surprise why he called the
artwork “The
Glorification of Genius.” Not only does it enticed the fewer
with compelling imagery of death, but it also sneaks in a
historical nod to the Filipino History.
Spolarium
https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-good-analysis-of-the-painting-
Spoliarium-by-Juan-Luna

What you have just learned is an artist. This time, may you get
familiar with an artisan.
Who is an artisan?
Artisans are craftsmen who work in textiles, pottery, glass and
other areas. They are craftsmen who make practical artistic
products, such as earrings, urns, stained glass and other
accessories. They gain their knowledge by studying under master
craftsmen and then practicing with continued study. They work to
create something new, original, and at times, provocative. They
spend a good portion of their time selling and promoting their
items in various marketplaces.
In other words, artisans are craftsmen who produce directly
functional and or decorative arts. They help us in meeting our
basic needs such as food, clothing, dwelling, furniture, kitchen
utensils and everything that makes our life easy are crafted by
artisans.

Job responsibilities of an Artisan include:

a. Using and mixing mediums like paint, metal, glass, or
fabric
b. Shaping, gluing sewing, testing and producing products
c. Displaying work at various sites including auctions, craft
shows or online markets
d. Estimating costs and material need

Take a look at this famous Filipino artisan.

TINA MARISTELA-OCAMPO
One featured artisan
who intended to
showcase Filipino
craftsmanship
is Tina
Maristela-Ocampo.
When she first
thought of the
concept for
Celestina, what
she really wanted was to
“bring whatever here in
the Philippines out to the world. Hence,
Celestina would produce find
handmade bags using local indigenous
products crafted by Filipino artisans.

Other artisans engage themselves in producing different

products.
 https://pixabay.com/en/ancien
antique-2179091/
https://pixabay.com/en/wickerwork-basket-weavers-craft-1314017/

Filipinos are known for being creative and resourceful. They try
to maximize what whatever resources they have just to earn and
sustain their basic needs.

LOOK: Dumagat artisans turn driftwood into artworks

Rogelio, one of the Dumagats living near the Ipo Dam in
Bulacan, has got the nature as his partner in making great art
pieces.
The 12 Dumagat artisans in Rogelio’s community transforms
driftwood, an uprooted and fallen part of trees washed away by
river and streams, they collected from the watershed to create
competitive sculpture pieces bearing nature-inspired designs.
After gathering the wood from the water, the artisans will then
let them dry for three days, and when these are ready, the
transformation starts.
In creating artworks, the artisans let their imaginations run
wild and thus seeing existing images out of the driftwood. And
from there, the simple wood becomes a distinct sculpture of
nature’s elements. Birds, fishes and even humans, among others,
are just some of the favorite images formed in the sculptures of
the Dumagat artisans.
One would really expect great artworks coming from the
driftwood, which was only used before by the locals as firewood,
as the Dumagat artisans were trained by renowned Filipino
sculptures.
Rogelio, who has nine children, gets a living from his
masterpieces, being able to sell an artwork for up to P300.
 This project does not only provide the Dumagats livelihood but
also provide mother earth a support for sustainability.

ANC Green Living, 23 January 2016

http://news.abs-
cbn.com/lifestyle/v1/01/23/16/lok-dumagat-
artisans-turn-driftwood-into-artworks