Keannu

What is Philippine Art?

 Refers to the work of art that developed since the beginning of civilization in the Philippines up
to the present era. It reflects to the society with wide range of diverse cultural influences and
how it honed the culture and the arts of the country. Philippine Art can be referred to visual
arts, performing arts, sculptures and textiles.

18th Century art

 Earliest among the collection are religious in themes and composed of 18th century icons and
images created by local artisans under the tutelage of the friars. The devotional pieces of the
collection are of outstanding significance.
 (Coronation of the Virgins) The painting depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary ceremoniously crowned
by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, as queen of
heaven and earth. The theme replicates the 5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary and the
Litany.
 (Retablo) It is an upright panel, intricately carved and highly decorated. Its wooden frame
contains ledges and panels behind and above the altar. The main feature of old Roman Catholic
churches in the country is the retablo, the altarpiece.

19th Century art

 During the late Spanish colonial period, the school of academism or "salon" painting emerged
and produced the likes of Juan N. Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, who are now considered
as 19th century masters.
 (Juan N. Luna) Juan Novicio Luna was a Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of the
Philippine Revolution during the late 19th century. He became one of the first recognized
Philippine artists.
o (Spolarium) The painting features a glimpse of Roman history centered on the bloody
carnage brought by gladiatorial matches. Spolarium is a Latin word referring to the
basement of the Roman Colosseum where the fallen and dying gladiators are dumped
and devoid of their wordly possesions.
 (Félix Resurrección Hidalgo) A Filipino artist. He is acknowledged as one of the great Filipino
painters of the late 19th century, and is significant in Philippine history for having been an
acquaintance and inspiration for members of the Philippine reform movement
o (GOVERNOR DASMARINAS )In the painting Governor Dasmariñas. Hidalgo was able to
expose the supremacy of the church over the Spanish government. It depicts the figures
of a Dominican friar dictating on Governor Dasmariñas, who seems to be helpless, to
sign a document allegedly authorizing the immediate military assistance to the king of
Cambodia
April Dan

1900's Philippine Art

 In the succeeding American period, Fernando C. Amorsolo, who was later declared as the First
National Artist, rose into fame and established his own style or "school" which was largely
characterized by countryside scenery with golden sunlight.
o PAINTING
o The first paintings were commissioned works during the Spanish colonial era. Since most art
produced during the first two centuries of Spanish occupation were for the church, the friars
enforced strict supervision over their production. Until the 19th century, art was only for the
church and religious use.
o (FERNANDO C. AMORSOLO) 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.

o SCULPTURE
o The carvings brought to the Philippines by early Arab and Russian missionaries were of
beveled type as the slanting type called Okkil. Early carved human figurine are known from
the cordilleras. Still today, the bulols, or "Ifugao rice Gods," are kept in the house or granary,
and are usually made in pairs. They are carved of narra wood, which represents wealth,
happiness, and well-being.
o (NAPOLEON V. ABUEVA) Napoleón Isabelo Veloso Abueva, more popularly known as
Napoleon Abueva. is a Filipino artist. Also known as the "Father of Modern Philippine
Sculpture". He is a sculptor given the distinction as the Philippines' National Artist for
Sculpture.

1920's Philippine Art

 The period is represented by the proliferation of genre themes, landscapes and still lifes as well
as the emergence of pre- modernism.
o The (Bust of Mons. G. Aglipay) highlights the distinctive features that are trademarks of
Guillermo Tolentino sculptures. Monsignor Gregorio Aglipay, was a former Catholic priest
that became the founding bishop of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina
Independiente) also known as the Aglipay Church

1942-1945 Philippine Art

 After the Japanese occupation, the art community sprang back to life. Various themes and styles
were explored and pioneered by Filipino artists who gained experience abroad. Mural painting
emerged, spearheaded by Carlos Francisco. Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) was
established in 1948.
 o (THE BURNING OF STO DOMINGO) Amorsolo was able to capture on canvas the magnitude
of the fire as well as the concerted effort of the firemen and the clergy to save the
sanctuary.
o The Art Association of the Philippines is an art organization that aims to "advance and foster,
and promote the interests of those who work in the visual arts." (AAP Amemded By-Laws,
1986) It is founded by Purita Kalaw Ledesma. Today, the main office and gallery of AAP is
located in Kanlungan ng Sining, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines. It's present President is Mr.
Fidel Sarmiento.

1950's Philippine Art

 The Philippine Art Gallery (PAG) was founded with young modernists as the leading figures.
Emergence of different schools of thought (e.g. school of Botong Francisco, school of Manansala,
emergence of the "Mabini" art group).
o (CHRISTMAS CARD SERIES) Christmas Card Series, composed of 12 prints, is a creative effort
of Manuel Rodriguez Sr. This series depicts themes associated with the Christmas season
while incorporating local touches that can be seen in his renditions of mother-and-child,
three magi, spruced up church and ancestral houses, pig roasting, and other genre scenes.
o Since the lantern (or parol) is a favorite Christmas decoration in the Philippines, it is
prevalent in all of the artworks.
o (THE HARANA) The Harana by Arturo Arluz, in Manila shows seven geometrical figures
playing musical instru-ments and serenading the audience amidst fireworks (Fiesta time).
The semi-concave glass medium is made by one of the leading glass manufacturers in the
United States, the Steuben.

Angelique

1960's Philippine Art

 Modern art reached its peak.

o (INK FISH BY ANG KIUKOK) Ink Fish is a figurative abstract painting of an undersea life with
three skeletal fish as prominent figures and full of colors. Ang Kiukok, declared National
Artist for Painting in 2002, emerged in the 1960s as one of the second generation of
modernists. His cubist style was influenced by his master, National Artist Vicente Manansala.
o (PLANTING OF THE FIRST CROSS) The painting depicts the planting of the cross in Cebu in
1521 with Ferdinand Magellan, Spanish soldiers and the natives with intricate tattoos known
as pintados. The artwork was commissioned by the national government in celebration of
the 400 years of Philippine Christianization held in Cebu in 1965.. The painting is by Vicente
Manansala.
o (MOTHER AND CHILD) The huge art piece is sculpted from solid adobe and shows abstract
figures of a woman in a sitting position and holding a child. The child, meanwhile, clings on
the head of his mother. The subject Mother and Child is very popular among visual artists.
 The National Museum prides itself with this Mother and Child sculpture created by
Napoleon V. Abueva, a pioneer of Philippine modern sculpture.

2000s Present Philippine Art

 Philippine art has come a long way from pre-colonial to the present avant-garde artist exploring
different and or possible techniques ranging from the traditionalist, representationalist,
abstructionalists, abstract- expressionists, semi- abstractionists. figurative-expressionists, non-
objectivists and other forms of -isms.

Today, art is an open forum of visual statements.

 Coffee painting
 Sand art
 -Light & Shadow
 Junk sculptures

What is OKIR?

It is as an artistic design of the Maranao native inhabitants of southern Philippines beginning from the
early 6th Century C.E. before the Islamization of the area. Okir is a design or pattern often rendered or
carved in hardwood, brass, silver and wall painting in curvilinear lines and Arabic geometric figures.

The Okir Motif is an art depicting the indigenous originality and skill of the Maranaos. It is a fine art of
figuring, painting, carving and sculpturing depicting the social and psychological identity of Maranao
Society. It is being patronized long time ago, until today and possibly in the coming generations of
Maranao people.

Every artifact of Maranao was made as an ornament, a device, or a decoration that is designed with
authentic okir, revealing that the Maranaos have a distinct and original culture and civilization with no
signs being imitated from other culture.

The Maranaos are proud to preserve their cultural heritage by the way of keeping their artifacts
permanently located in their households, carved within their premises like these photos.

In the museum of the Mindanao State University, we find the display of different tools, devices and
implements of the Maranaos that are being designed with okir with varied kinds and samples to
showcase the Maranao culture and traditions.