Art in

Asia
 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.
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
perspectives 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.
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.
 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.
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.
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 n 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 Tboli people from Mindanao are also known
for their woven abaca cloth called I'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 Each subject is a
woodcarvings. Their common subjects representation for a certain
include the sarimanok, naga, and the theme or motif but generally.
pako rabong.
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 roaster. 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
fem with a broad base. The fern gracefully stems and
tapers upward. The sarimanok and naga are usually
used as omamental designs for the houses of the
sultans.
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
II, 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 hould be done 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.