LESSON 3: Brief History of Philippine Art

As we may have discussed and learned the technicalities of

Contemporary Art, i.e. its definition, characteristics, classification, functions,
elements, and principles, we will now proceed on an interesting & meaningful
subject matter this time. This next topic is all about the Development of
Philippine Art throughout History. Have you ever wonder how did the
Philippine Art start? Who were the first Philippine Artists? What materials did
they use? And how was it? How did they experience creating and/or producing
Art without any formal training/education? What was art THEN and what it is
NOW? How did our ancestors nurtured, developed, and contributed to the
Contemporary Philippine Art? How did the Philippine Art evolved and/or
developed from the pre-colonial era to its current form the Contemporary
period?

Artwork by Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco

GET STARTED: PHOTO ALBUM!

Look for an old photo album. Refresh your memories with the picture of
your ancestors, the family of both of your parents, and a picture of their
younger selves. Appreciate the beauty and relevance of an old photo album
in preserving old memories. In this activity, observe the way live, the way
they behave, and most importantly, the way they dress. Describe the lifestyle
of your parents. To be more specific, by observing an old photo of your parents
and/or grandparents, describe the fashion statement then. Once done, try
comparing it to the fashion statement nowadays.
 FASHION THEN FASHION NOW

Then, answer the following questions:

1. Is there a remarkable difference?

__________________________.

2. What do you think are the factors that affected the changes in
fashion (a form of art) then and now?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

LET’S START LEARNING!

Development of Philippine Art throughout History
1. Pre-colonial
- In the pre-colonial Philippines, arts are for ritual purposes or
everyday uses. Pre-colonial traditional art has religious symbols,
everyday activities such as fishing, farming, etc., or a specific
decorative art pattern to the community • It has either the influence
of local religion (animistic) or Islamic based. The following are pre-
colonial artforms:
o Pottery – Pottery is the process and the products of forming
vessels and other objects with clay and other ceramic
materials.
▪ A renowned cultural masterpiece of our ancestors is the
Manunggul Jar. It is a secondary burial jar excavated
from a Neolithic burial site in the Manunggul Cave of the
Tabon Cave
o Weaving – a method of textile production
▪ An artform developed from South Cotabato which is
called ‘Tnalak.’ T’boli tribe is famous for their dream-
inspired and spirit infused T’nalak weavings which are
made of Abaca fibers.
 o Pre-colonial Musical Instrument
▪ Kudyapi - It is a Philippine two-stringed, fretted boat-
lute. It is the only stringed instrument among the
Palawan people.
▪ Kulintang - is a modern term for an ancient instrumental
form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally
laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by
larger, suspended gongs and drums.
o Tattoo – a form of body modification where a design is made
by inserting ink, dyes, and pigments.
▪ Batok is the local term for the tattoo in the Cordillera
region. Tattooing was prevalent during pre-colonial In
the archipelago. Apo Whang-Od is the famous tattoo
artist from the Cordillera region which truly preserves
and shares her tattoo skills to the tourist.

o Carving – an act of using tools to shape something from a

material like wood or stone.
▪ A pre-colonial artform developed by our ancestors was
Bul’ul. It is a carved wooden figure used to guard the rice
crop by the Ifugao peoples of northern Luzon
o Rituals – it may be prescribed by the traditions of a community
that involves a sequence of actions and movements.
▪ Cañao or Kanyaw. According to the Rotary Club of
Baguio, “Cañao” is a local term for the ritual-dance
performed during native feasts or celebrations in the
highlands of the Cordilleras–in the Luzon area of the
Philippines. The ritual is done as a symbol of celebration
or expectation for a fruitful harvest.
2. Spanish
- Art became a handmaiden of religion, serving to propagate the
Catholic faith and thus support the colonial order at the same time.
Art that developed during the Spanish Era conformed and/or
intended only to serve to propagate the teachings of the Catholic
Church. Despite its propaganda in nature, still, it helped in developing
the Philippine Art during that time. The following are the artforms
developed during the so-called lowland Christian art.
o Catholic Churches – To established importance in people’s lives
and to truly propagate the archipelago, Spaniards used
Churches. The baroque style was utilized in building their
churches. (e.g. San Agustin & Paoay Church)
o Sculpture – To truly propagate the archipelago, the Spaniards
utilized various art forms including visual arts. Santo Niño de
Cebú is a Roman Catholic title of the Child Jesus associated
with a religious image of the Christ Child widely venerated as
miraculous by Filipino Catholics.
o Paintings – As well as the other art forms, Spaniards included
paintings as part of their propaganda material. Considering its
visual appeal, paintings are great to employ emotions and
ideas to an innocent mind. Langit, Lupa & Impyerno is mural
 attributed to Paete artist Jose Dans (1805- ca. 1870). The
work “Langit, Lupa at Impierno” (ca. 1850, or Heaven, Earth,
and Hell), is a three-level painting that shows the Holy Trinity,
Mary the Mother of Christ, saints, the Seven Blessed
Sacraments and a macabre depiction of hell.
Putting aside the intention of the friars to utilize arts to
propagate, some Filipino visual artists who hone their prowess
and became a figure in Philippine Visual Arts during this period,
and these are: Juan Luna (Spoliarium) & Felix Hidalgo (Las
Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho)
o Play – In terms of performance art, Senakulo is the best
example of an art form during the Spanish Colonization.
Senakulo is a play depicting the life and suffering of Jesus
Christ. The word is derived from the Spanish cenáculo,
meaning “cenacle,” which is the place where Jesus Christ
celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples.
3. American
- In the American regime, commercial and advertising arts were
integrated into the fine arts curriculum. Moreover, Americans favored
idyllic sceneries and secular forms of arts. Some artforms developed
during this period are the following:
o Drama Simbolico – these are plays that echoed not only the
nationalist sentiments but also served as a medium for political
protests, openly attacking Americans. (e.g. Tanikalang Guinto
dir. Juan Abad, Hindi Ako Patay dir. Juan Matapang Cruz, &
Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas dir. Aurelio Tolentino)
o Architecture – Americans also brought with them the artistic &
architectural advances from their homeland and it can be seen
from various buildings around the metro: Neoclassicism in
Philippine Post Office and other government buildings, Art Deco
in Metropolitan Theater, and Art Nouveau in Uy-Cacho Building.
o Painting – Brought by the Spaniards, but it was during the
American Period when this form of art flourished. A prolific
artist, Fernando Amorsolo, had produced numerous portraits,
genre scenes highlighting the beauty of the dalagang Filipina,
and idyllic landscape. Aside from him, a visual artist like
Guillermo Tolentino (in sculpture), Victorio Edades, and Carlos
‘Botong’ Francisco (also in painting) were also recognized due
to their artistic skills.
4. Post-Colonial Period

A. Modernism in Philippine Art began after World War II and the

granting of Independence. Writers and artists posed the question
of national identity as the main theme of various art forms.

B. Contemporary
Philippine Contemporary Art was an offshoot of social realism brought
about by Martial Law. Arts became an expression of people’s
aspirations for a just, free, and sovereign society. The following are
the numerous forms of art that emerged in the contemporary period.
 o Installation Art – It involves the configuration or "installation"
of objects in a space, such as a room or a warehouse. The
resulting arrangement of material and space comprises the
"artwork".
o Performance Art - form of art in which artists use their voices
and/or their bodies, often in relation to other objects, to convey
artistic expression.
o Abstract Expressionism - it is often characterized by gestural
brush-strokes or mark-making, and the impression of
spontaneity.
o Feminist Art - The feminist art movement refers to the efforts
and accomplishments of feminists internationally to produce
art that reflects women's lives and experiences, as well as to
change the foundation for the production and reception of
contemporary art.
o Environment Art - a range of artistic practices encompassing
both historical approaches to nature in art and more recent
ecological and politically motivated types of works.
o Op Art - a form of abstract art that gives the illusion of
movement by the precise use of pattern and color, or in which
conflicting patterns emerge and overlap.
o Digital Arts - Digital art is an artistic work or practice that uses
digital technology as an essential part of the creative or
presentation process.
o Graffiti - One of the most radical contemporary art movements,
"graffiti art" (also called "Street Art", "Spraycan Art", "Subway
Art" or "Aerosol Art") commonly refers to decorative imagery
applied by paint or other means to buildings, public transport
or other property.

Key Points to Remember!

• Development of Philippine Art throughout History is divided into the

following: Pre-colonial, Spanish Colonization, American Colonization,
Modernism and Contemporary.
• In the pre-colonial Philippines, arts are for ritual purposes or everyday
uses.
• Art that developed during the Spanish Era conformed and/or intended
only to serve to propagate the teachings of Catholic Church.
• In the American regime, commercial and advertising arts were integrated
into fine arts curriculum.
• Modernism in Philippine Art began after World War II and the granting of
Independence.
• In Contemporary, arts became expression of people’s aspiration for a just,
free, and sovereign society.
ACTIVITY: FLOW OF PHILIPPINE ART THROUGHOUT HISTORY!

In this activity, let’s analyze and distinguish the major contribution of

each period in the History of Philippine Art. In the figure below, we will
construct the proper timeline of Philippine Art and identify the major periods
and also distinguish the contributions of each epoch. On the space provided
beside the number, write the period/epoch. And under the name of the epoch,
describe and distinguish the role and/or purposes of art during that time.
Then, give at least two (2) examples of artforms developed during that period.

4.________
3._________

2._________

1.________

5 4 3 2

Focus Sharp, distinct Apparent point No apparent Minimal

controlling point made about a point but evidence of the
made about a single topic evidence of a topic.
single topic with with sufficient specific topic is
evident awareness awareness of present.
of task. task.
Content Substantial, Sufficiently Limited Superficial
specific, and/or developed content with and/or minimal
illustrative content content with inadequate content
demonstrating adequate elaboration
strong elaboration and/or
development and and/or explanation.
sophisticated ideas. explanation.
Organization Sophisticated Functional Confused or Minimal control
arrangement of arrangement inconsistent of content
content with of content that arrangement arrangement.
evident transitions. sustains a of content with
logical order or without
with some attempts at
evidence of transition.
transitions.
Conventions Evident control of Sufficient Limited control Minimal control
grammar, control of of grammar, of grammar,
mechanics, grammar, mechanics, mechanics,
spelling, usage and mechanics, spelling, spelling, usage,
sentence spelling, usage, and and sentence
formation. usage, and sentence formations.
sentence formations.
formations.