Philippine Art

Throughout history, different art forms have emerged in the Philippine art scene. Before the colonizers, ethnic
minorities have used art not only for daily activities but also for religious rituals and practices. These include used pottery,
weaving, carving, and the use of metalwork and jewelry.

 Pottery is one of the earliest art forms used by the early Filipinos. One of the most prominent
artifacts is the Manunggal Jar found in Palawan. It is a representation of the early Filipino beliefs and
practices. Weaving was 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, which are known for colorful woven
cloth having religious and practical value.
 The T’boli people from Mindanao are also known for their woven abaca cloth called t’nalak which is
used to make ornaments, which also represent their beliefs through symbols.
 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 them or motif but generally, these symbols
depict their beliefs as a people.
 Initially, jewelry was used as amulets for protection to drive away evil spirits. Eventually, some
minority groups from the Cordilleras and Cotabato used jewelry as ornaments integrated in their
clothing.
 When the Spaniards came, they introduced Christianity and integrated their practices and beliefs. Art
was used by the Spaniards to propagate their Christian faith and it is evident with the construction of
churches. Such churches house various relics and paintings.
 Being under colonial rule, Filipinos wanted to express their indignation and desire for liberation. Art
became one of the avenues for Filipino patriots and nationalists. One of the 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 part 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 propagated their culture and beliefs through education. Art had a role in
advertising American-controlled markets.
 After WWII, the country saw itself as an independent state transitioning into the formation of its
national identity. Art focused on modern takes and a debate emerged on whether art should be done a
“proletarian art” or “art for art’s sake.”
 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. Beautiful and
idealistic imagery was replaced with aggressive undertones.

 When Martial Law was declared, 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 Martial Law.
 Eventually, photography has evolved into an art form, which highlights various artistic expressions
evident in a variety of events, scenes, and activities.