Chapter 34 and 5 ARTS APPRECIATION

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Chapter 3

The Western Art History


“Art history looks at art works and the people
who have created them”.

Susan Vreeland

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Describe the history of Art in Prehistoric Civilization;


2. Discuss the Medieval arts in Europe;
3. Identify the famous artists in Western Europe; and
4. Analyse the most common Paintings in Classical Greek

As a preliminary activity for the topic, the teacher will ask the students about their
perception on the picture below.

H
istorically speaking, the human instinct to create art is universal. Art is an approach of
a human being to communicate his/her beliefs and express ideas about his/her
experiences. It also provides valuable insights into the past and existing cultures. It
helps us to understand how others have lived and what they valued (Annenberg
Foundation, 2017).

The history of art reflects the remnant of civilization, the study of artworks, and the lives of
artists illuminate much about our shared past. It helps us to discover, authenticate who made a
particular art object (Meyer, 2009). It also helped us to appreciate the stylistic and recognized
development of artistic practices on a large scale and within a broad historical viewpoint.

The history of art also covers the entire history of humankind since prehistoric times. Art is a
product of man’s emotional and intellectual connection with the world. It also aimed to produce
a message which will either provoke an unexplainable consciousness within the hearts of its
viewers or incite wisdom among inquisitive minds. Leroi-Gourhan (1967) lists three primary
domains of the expression of feeling associated to the first periods of humanity that may add to
our understanding of the beginnings of art such as Psycho-physiological impressions; Magic-
religious; and techno-economic.
Art in Prehistoric Civilization

The term “prehistoric” relates to the time before written history. Specifically, the writing
developed in ancient Mesopotamia before 3000 B.C.E., so this period includes visual culture
(paintings, sculpture, and architecture) made before that date (Zucker, 2015). The oldest
recognized decorative art forms come from Africa date back to 100,000 BC.E.

Prehistoric art has four main periods: Stone Age, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. The
remaining artifacts of this period are small sculptures and cave paintings. During these early
times, different forms of art were created and performed as a sign of communication or adoration
to the deity. This practice shows how cultural and religious factors played little to the
development of the art forms that made the ancient society so famous until now.

Ancient people often represented their worldviews and beliefs through visual images. Art
emerged with the appearance and the dispersal of entirely modern people through Africa, Asia,
Australia, America and Europe. Paintings, sculptures, engravings, and potteries are expressions
for beauty and complex social and spiritual systems. Prehistoric art like animals are the favorite
subjects of hunters, herdsmen, and breeders.

Prehistoric art is a symbolic system that is an integral part of the culture that creates it
(Honour et al., 2005). Many archaeologists have identified Stone Age art, namely: petroglyphs
(rock carvings and engravings); pictographs (graphic imagery, symbols); ancient sculpture
(totemic statues, ivory carvings); and megalithic arts (performs or any other works associated
with the formation of stones).

The oldest European cave art is the El Castillo Cave


(Cave of the Castle) in Spain. This cave was discovered in
1903 by Hermilio Alcalde del Río, a Spanish archaeologist.
Some Archaeologists argue that artwork inside this cave are
probably a creation of Homo neanderthalensis. Hand
stencils, claviforms (club shapes) and disks made by
blowing paint onto the wall in El Castillo cave found that
date back at least 40,800 years, making them older than
those of the Chauvet Cave in central France, which dated to Figure 2. El Castillo Cave painting, Spain
around 39,000 years (Kwong, 2012).Other old cave painting
sites in France include Lascaux, Grotte de Cussac, Pech Merle, Cave of Niaux, and Font-de-
Gaume.

Stone Tools for Art Making

Stone is formed based on the composition of minerals on it. It classified as Mineral growth,
Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and Volcanic. Sedimentary rocks shaped through the deposition and
compression of particulate matter. On the other hand, Metamorphic rocks changed from the
result of extreme temperature and pressure. Volcanic rocks are from molten igneous magma
(Prindle, 1994).

The tools made of tone were the instruments by which early man developed and progressed.
All human culture founded on the ingenuity and brainpower of our early ancestors in creating
sophisticated tools that enable them to survive. The first stone tools (eoliths- which are now
believed to be naturally produced by geological processes such as glaciation) and other types of
organic materials (wood, bone, ivory, and antler) were about two million years ago. The oldest
human tools were a simple stone chopper, such as those unearth at Olduvai George in Tanzania.
Many Paleoanthropologists (people who study the origins and predecessors of the present
human species) confirmed that the Palaeolithic Man produced four types of tools in creating an
art namely: pebble tools (with a single sharpened edge for cutting or chopping): Bifacial tools
(hand axes); Flake tools; and Blade tools.
Pebble Tools (Pebble chopper). It is a first cutting device and considered as the oldest type
of tool made by humans. The tool contains a rounded stone struck some blows with a similar
stone used as a pounder, which created a serrated crest that served as a chopping blade.

Bifacial tools. It is a hand ax prehistoric stone tool flake with two faces or sides. These
tools may be oval, triangular, or almond-shaped in form and characterized by axial symmetry.
The cutting edge could be straight or jagged and is used as a knife, pick, scraper, or weapon. The
technique was distinctive of the hand-ax tradition of the lower Palaeolithic period and the
Acheulian culture.

Flake tools. These are hand tools used during Stone Age. They are usually formed by
crushing off a small or large fragment then used as the tool. Both cores and flakes could be as
stone tools. New flakes were very sharp, but quickly became blunt during use and had to be
sharpened again by further flaking, a process called “retouch.”

Blade tools. These are a Stone tool created by striking a long narrow flake from a stone
core. This procedure of cutting the stone and creating the blades is called lithic reduction. After
chipping the blades, they integrated into larger tools, such as spears.

Medieval Arts in Europe

The primitive art of the Western world covers an extensive range of time and place over
1000 years. Specifically, Medieval art in Europe grew out of the artistic culture of the Roman
Empire and the iconographic practices in the church of the early Christian (Oliquiano, 2012).
These sources were mixed with the influential "barbarian" artistic culture of Northern Europe to
make an extraordinary creative legacy. Medieval art portrayed in Pietistic painting (religious art)
displayed in a Ceramics, fresco and mosaic paintings, Goldsmith and Silversmith, Stained Glass,
illuminated manuscripts, metalwork, Tapestry, and Heraldry in churches.

a. Illuminated Manuscripts (Illumination) - They were colorful religious texts which often
use of gold and silver as its main feature. The term illuminate is the Latin word
“illuminate” which means to adorn or to enlighten. It is the embellishment of a
manuscript with bright colors. The artist who produced the impressive artwork on
illuminated manuscripts was called Illuminators.
b. Metalwork- Metalworkers were very skilled in creating religious objects for church
decorations. Experts in Bronze art produced beautiful jewels, sculptures, and even church
doors.
c. Silversmith and Goldsmith- They were excellent artists who created new shapes of
jewelry. The Medieval church demanded to employed silversmiths and goldsmiths in the
church to produce e2222 with small pieces of colored glass, stone or other materials. The
early Christians used ceiling and wall mosaics in their churches and cathedrals.
d. Paintings- Artists who were skillful in Iconography uses Fresco and panel painting with
the religious theme during the medieval period. Fresco is performed mostly on wall
covers or ceilings. Likewise, Panels is a painting which showed on several pieces of
wood that joined together. It is also for the Icons of Byzantine art.
e. Bayeux Tapestry- It is embroidery in colored wool. It is consists of eight long strips of
unbleached linen, sewn together to form a continuous panel of 230 feet long and 20
inches high.
f. Ceramics- They were hand shaped cooking pots, jars, and pitchers.
g. Stained Glass- It is usually applied exclusively to the windows of medieval churches,
castles, and cathedrals. It creates the primary form of art where small pieces of glass are
arranged to form pictures or patterns which are held together
h. by strips of lead and supported by a hard frame.
i. Heraldry- It is the manner of designing coats of arms and insignia. Specimens of coats of
arms were worked using embroidery, paper, painted wood, stonework and stained glass.
Famous Artists in Western Europe

The great artists introduced the advancement of arts during the middle periods. During this
era, artists split away from the influences of the Byzantium art style and developed into the
Gothic visual art. The Medieval painters and sculptors were founders of the movement towards
greater realism which culminated in the Renaissance art style. Most famous artists during
medieval period were Donatello, Giotto, Leon Battista Alberti, Cimabue, Filippo Brunelleschi,
Fra Angelico and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

1. Donatello (also known as Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi). He was born in 1386 in
Italy. He was the son of Nicolo di Betto Bardi, a wool merchant in Florence. He learned
the fabrication of metals and other substances which known as metallurgy. His most
famous works of art include David, Mary Magdalene, Madonna, Salome, Zuccone, and
St. Mark, St. John the Evangelist and St. George and the Dragon. He also invented a
technique known as schiacciato (shallow relief), which achieved effects of spatial depth.
He died on December 13, 1466.
2. Giotto di Bondone. He was born about 1266 in Vespignano village, Florence. He was
the son of Giorgio Vasari, a small landed farmer. He worked with others artists for the
Cathedral of San Francesco in Assisi and began painting a fresco cycle there with scenes
from the Old and New Testaments. In 1300, he was invited by Pope Benedict XI in
Rome to paint a mosaic over the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica. He died on January 8,
1337, in Florence.
3. Leon Battista Alberti- He was born in Genoa on February 14, 1404, in Italy. As an
Architect, he was hired by Pope Nicholas V in the renovation of the papal palace and of
the Roman bridge of Acqua Vergine. He died in Rome on April 25, 1472.
4. Giovanni Cimabue- He was born in Florence in 1240. He devoted all his time wrapping
his paper and his books with photographs of horses, houses, people, and other various
things he dreamt up. He made mosaics .as well as paintings, which include the frescoes
of New Testament scenes in the upper church of St. Francis of Assisi. He died in 1302.
5. Filippo Brunelleschi- He was born in 1377 in Florence, Italy. He was the son
Brunellesco Di Lippoo, an Italian lawyer and his mother was Giuliana Spini. He was a
sculptor and goldsmith in one of the Florentine workshops. He died on April 15, 1446.
6. Fra Angelico (also known as Beato Angelico, which means "Blessed Angelic One”)- He
was born in 1395 in Florence, Italy. As a Painter, his most famous works of art include
the Annunciation, The Madonna and Saints and the Transfiguration of Christ painting.
7. Lorenzo Ghiberti- He was born in 1380 in Florence, Italy. He was admitted to the Gold
Guild and started his apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1392. He started work on the East
Doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The Bronze doors (known as the “Gates of
Paradise”) had 10panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. He died in 1445.

Most Common Paintings in Classical Greek

During the classical era, most paintings were discovered in panels, tomb, and vases. It
portrays natural symbols with dynamic masterpieces about battle scenes, mythological figures,
and everyday scenes. It also discloses a grasp of linear perspective and naturalist illustration
(Rayos, 2018). Familiar paintings in classical Greek are as follows:

a. Kerch Vase Painting

Kerch Vase is red-figured pottery named after the place where it discovered. Most common
motifs were scenes from the life of women, mythological beings or mythical story or event. This
type of painting used a technique known as polychromy which combined different colors
especially the brilliant one in an artistic manner. The shapes commonly found are:

a. Krater (it is a bowl used for mixing wine and water)


b. lebesgamikos (a container with high handles and lid use to carry bridal bath)
c. lekanis (a low bowl with two horizontal handles and a small, broad foot)
d. pelike (a wine container)

b. Panel Painting

Panel Painting was especially famous for making beautiful altarpieces. This type of
paintings executed on flat panels of wood or metals which can be either a small, single piece or
several boards that are together. The earliest known old panel painting is the Pitsa Panel (dated
between 540 and 530 B.C.E.).

c. Tomb/Wall Painting

Popular Tomb or wall painting during classical period uses either tempera (water-based) or
encaustic (wax) as a method of fresco. Colors in this type are made with grind powder stains in
pure water, dry and set with plaster to become a lasting part of the wall.
Chapter 4
The Filipino Art and Crafts
“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is
still the secret of great creative people”

– Leo Burnett

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Understand the Pre-Colonial Art forms in the Archipelago;


1. Identify the famous indigenous musical instruments in the Philippines;
2. Demonstrate knowledge about importance of Philippine Artistic Handicrafts;
3. Determine the common handicraft materials and the traditional handiwork in the
Philippines; and
4. Recognize the importance of the Philippine GAMABA Awards and its awardees.

Springboard
As a preliminary activity for the topic, the teacher will facilitate any of the activities below:

1. Divide the class into five groups. Let each group compose a four-verse poem or song
honoring the great Philippine contemporary artists that have discussed in this lesson.
They may write it in whatever language or dialect they prefer and let them share their
composition in class.

2. Let the students create a masterpiece (a drawing, a dance, a drama, a song or whatever
artistic view they could picture). Their rendition must show nationalism or promotion of
a Filipino traditional art. Let them share their masterpiece in class.

3. Let the students name at least three festivals celebrated in their region/ municipality/City.
Let them enumerate the different activities that showcase in these festivals. Let them
share this in class.

Input

L
ike in any other country, art influenced the life of the Filipinos and the things that
surround them. The Philippine arts reflect a Filipino society with diverse cultural
influences and traditions of the Malayan peoples such as the Chinese and Indians.
Islamic traditions were introduced to the Philippine Islands in the 14th century.

Likewise, Europe and the United States intensely influenced Filipino artists. However, while
drawing on Western forms, the works of Filipino musicians, painters, and writers are imbued
with distinctly Philippine themes. By expressing the richness of the culture of the archipelago in
all its diversity, Filipino artists have helped in shaping a sense of national identity. Many Malay
cultural traditions have continued until this time despite foreign rule. Muslims and tribal groups
maintained distinct traditions in dance, music, and sculpture.

Indigenous arts in the Philippines are labors of love and patience. The intricate carvings on
wood, metal, stone or glass are products of skillful hands and imaginative minds of the different
tribes of the archipelago. Indigenous musical instruments like the flute, drums, rainsticks, native
guitars, and bells made of bamboo, animal skin, seeds, and seashells. The careful manipulation
of these materials produces sounds and unique instruments used mostly in tribal dances and
rituals (Ramirez, 1999).

Pre-Colonial Art forms in the Archipelago

The arts in the Philippine archipelago had its past and continued to develop by numerous
modern artists. With their different context regarding history, style, cultural symbols, and
meanings, these artworks are portrayed (Estrella, 2017).The following are some known artforms
in the Philippines:

Agung. It is a musical instrument of the Kulintang ensemble which is played by one or two
persons depending on its number. By using a rubber-padded beater, this instrument is performed
on both the boss/knob and the face of the gong.

Banog-banog. It is a dance that portrays hunters shielding in their chickens from the
famishing hawk.

BlitB’laan. It is a courtship dance of the Bilaan of Davao del Sur mimicking birds during
mating season. The females scurry to safety, burying their heads under their wings (using the
malong), but the aggressive males follow them wherever they go.

Cañao. It is a ritual-dance performed during native feasts or celebrations in the highlands of


the Cordilleras in the Luzon area of the Philippines. It is a symbol of triumph or expectation for
abundant crops.

Gangsa. It is an indigenous musical instrument of the Bontoc tribes of Kalinga, Ifugao in


the mountain regions (the Cordillera) of the northern Philippines.

Inamong. It is an ethnic dance among Tigwahanon Manobos in the Province of Bukidnon


and performed during their harvest time. This type of dance shows a couple, with their bodies
and arms slightly bent forward, mimicking the movement of a pair of flirting among monkeys.

Kadal Iwas. It is a dance performed by the T-boli and Tausug tribes respectively which
mimic a mealtime of monkeys in removing nits and lice from each other. A variation of this
dance is to mimics a monkey who sits on an anthill by mistake and is attacked by angry ants all
over his body.

Kashawing. It is a ritual among the Maranaos and is performed to ensure a good harvest.

Kinabua. It is ritual dance among the Mandaya tribes in Northern Mindanao. This type of
dance portrays the Hawks’ use of sweet songs to lure out the hen and the chicks that are made
into a meal.

Mamakar. It is a Bontoc War Dance performed during the planting season and a bountiful
harvest.

Man-manok. It is a dance performed in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. This type of dance mimics fowls
wherein a tribal blankets that represent the colorful plumage of wild cocks are shown off by the
warriors who intend on winning the attention of the maiden hen.

Mayvanuvanua. It refers to a sacrificial rite performed at the beginning of the summer


fishing season among mataw fishers in Batanes Island. This type of dance is an act of invitation
to capture the fish dorado successfully.
Mumbaki. It is a local term which refers to the “sayer of prayers” among the Ifugaos in
Northern Luzon. These prayers are performed during funerals, wedding, Thanksgiving, and
other celebrations. This is offered to the supreme deity, Maknongan.

Ngilin. It is a cultural dance performed among the Kalinga tribe during Marriage rituals and
other celebrations like the budong (peace pact). This type of dance is played to simulate the
romantic or peaceful interactions of a rooster and a hen.

Pagdiwata. It refers to a ritual performed among the ethnic group in the north and central
Palawan. The ceremony is held on various occasions including bountiful harvests and weddings.

Pangalay (also known as Sea Gypsies).It is a native dance of the Badjao performed during
weddings and other social gatherings. This type of dance emphasizes the agility of the upper
body wherein the rhythmic bounce of the shoulder with the simultaneous alternating waving of
arms is the essential movement.

Sampak. It is a war dance performed by the Mandaya tribe. This type of dance requires
excellent skill in the handling of a shield, spear, and a sword.

Saut. It is a ritual dance performed by a male Talaanding tribe presenting their expertise in
style and arts in fighting their opponent. This ritual dance is also an offering to their magbabaya
(god).

Talip. It is a courtship dance among the Ifugao. This is performed during the celebration of the
intaneg (wedding). In this dance, the man traps a woman with an attractive blanket to place on
her shapely shoulders.

Famous Indigenous Musical Instruments in the Philippines

Aerophones. It refers to any musical instrument which produces sound without the use of strings
or membranes. Examples of these are as follows:

a. Baliing- Nose flutes of the Apayao


b. Bansik - Bamboo flute of the Negrito
c. Kaleleng- a Long bamboo tube of the Bontoc
d. Bulungudyong -Vertical & long flute of the B'laan
e. Kalaleng - Bamboo flute of the Tinggian
f. Lantoy– Nose flute of the Mangyan
g. Palandag (Palendag) – Lip-valley flute of the Bagobo
h. Paldong and Tongali – Lip valley flutes of the Kalinga
i. Pulalo – Lip valley flute of the Mansaka
j. Sahunay - Pipe with reed (clarinet) of the Tausog

Chordophones. It refers to any musical instrument which makes sound by way of trembling
strings stretched between two points. Examples of these are as follows:

a. Faglong – Two-stringed, lute-like instrument of the B'laan


b. Kolitong – Bamboo guitar of the Kalingga
c. Kudlong - Two stringed boat lute of the Bagobo
d. Kudyapi -Two stringed boat lute of the Maranao
e. Kulit-en – Guitar of the Tinggian
f. Pas-ing – Guitar of the Igorot
g. Serongagandi – a Decorated bamboo tube of the Maranao
h. Saludoy –Bamboo guitar of the T’boli

Idiophone. It refers to any musical instrument which produced sound primarily by way of the
instrument's vibrating, without the use of strings or membranes.
a. Afiw –Jaw Harp of the Bontoc
b. Agung - Bossed gong of the Maranao
c. Balingbing – Bamboo buzzer of the Kalingga
d. Bangibang – Percussion bar of the Ifugao
e. Gabbang – Bamboo xylophone of the Tausog
f. Kinaban – Jaw Harp of the Hanunoo
g. Kubing –Jaw Harp of the Ata and Maranao
h. Kulintang - Metal xylophone of the Maranao
i. Kumbing – Jaw Harp of the Manobo
j. Palipal – Bamboo clapper of the Ifugao
k. Tagutok – Decorated bamboo scraper of the Maranao
l. Tanggunggu – Gong chime of the Kalagan, B'laan, Manuvu, Bagobo
m. Tongkaling - Pellet bells or crotal bells of the B’laan

Membranophone. It refers to any musical instrument which produces sound by way of a


vibrating stretched membrane.Most membranophones are drums, such as:

a. Dabakan - Glass shaped drum of the Maranao


b. Gandang – Double headed cylindrical drum of the Maranao
c. Libbit – Conical drum of the Ifugao
d. Sulibao – Conical drum of the Ibaloy

Importance of Philippine Artistic Handicrafts

The Philippines is abundant in natural resources that scattered throughout its islands.
Filipino artist used the parts of trees, plants, and other natural resources as the raw materials and
turned them into simple, yet useful tools or instruments. This type of work is called Artistic
Handicrafts (sometimes called artisanry). Although this type of art changes from time to time it
is still imperative to continue and is preserve due to the following reasons:

1. It promotes our cultural legacy through the use of indigenous materials.


2. It shows an individual's creativity and superior ingenuity.
3. It encouraged producers to produce more raw materials.
4. It generates employment.
5. It developed values of perseverance and resiliency.

Common Handicraft Materials

Every Filipino family owns handicraft products like baskets, brooms, feather dusters, and
other furniture. Likewise, accessories like earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other clothing
apparel made from native products such as beads, shells, and seeds. These are clear indications
that our handicraft industry is enjoying the patronage of Filipinos.

Filipino handicraft makers fashion them into accessories, bags, bamboo sofa sets, baskets,
cabinets, clothes, lamp shades, wall décor, and others. The following are the typical materials
needed in the making of Filipino handicrafts:

a. Abaca (Musa Textilis) - It is a tree-like herb resembling the banana plant. It is durable
and dyed in different colors.
b. Bamboo (BambusaSpinosa) - It is for the furniture industry because of its strength and
durability. It is also valuable material for basket and hat making.
c. Buri (CoryphaElata)- It is a palm from which three kinds of fibers, namely buri, raffia,
and until, are taken. It can be dyed merely and woven into many shapes. The buri leaf
is the most flexible material used for making hats, boxes and other novelty items.
d. Caragumoy (Pandanus Simplex) - It is greenish grey as it dries and is used traditionally
in making bags, baskets, hats, and mats.
e. Coconut (CocosNucifera) - It is the most utilized palm in the Philippines. Its cocomidrib
is used primarily as handicraft material for the production of baskets, and brooms
(tingting). The coco shells are used for manufacturing articles such as buttons, coin
banks, lamp shades, pins, and others.
f. Kalas- It is a by-product of the buri palm. Locally, the term "kalas" (which means “to
loosen") refers to the loosened strands of a buri rope. It creates an unusual, rustic pattern
with distinct characteristics from its original material when artistically woven.
g. Leather- It is a material created through the tanning of skins of animals like carabaos,
horses, snakes, alligators, goats, lizards, and others.
h. Pandan-Dagat (PandanusTectorius) - It is a variety of screw pine abundantly distributed
along sandy beaches and coastal brushes in the Philippines.
i. Rattan (Calamus Maximus) - It is the most flexible material used in the manufacturing
industry and been known to extend up to hundreds of meters long.
j. Seagrass (RhynchosporaCorymbosa) – It is a type of grass in shallow salty and brackish
waters. The stems are distinctly triangular, and the leaves are broad and long.

Traditional Handiwork in the Philippines

The following are some handicrafts in the different regions of the Philippines:

1. Jewelry (Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Mindanao Regions). This handicraft is
mostly in Central Luzon region, mainly from the province of Bulacan. You can also find
related of this from Mindanao regions, but down south, you can even get powerful brass
amulets and other accessories.
2. Metal Craft (Southern Luzon and Mindanao Regions). This type of handicraft is in
Southern Luzon region, particularly in the province of Batangas. A very popular metal
craft which is locally and internationally as an excellent source for a portable knife is
called Balisong. Traditional weapons made from brass, bronze, and gold, are also
abundant in the island of Mindanao.
3. Pots and Jars (Ilocos Region).The pots and jars known as burnay can found explicitly in
the province of Ilocos Sur. These creations are made from Grade A clay through a
method that has been practiced by locals since the pre-colonial times.
4. Woven fabrics (Mindanao Regions). These fabrics are woven traditionally, by
interlacing threads using a manual machine called a loom. One of the common materials
in this region is called malong which is historically used as a skirt and sometimes as a
blanket.
5. Wood Carvings (Cordillera and Southern Luzon Regions). Fantastic wood carvings
produced by the Ifugao in the northern region of the Cordilleras. Often, these wood
carvings are depicting their indigenous gods. Excellent kitchenware like wooden bowls
and utensils are in this region.

Philippine GAMABA Awards

Gawad sa Manlilikhang Bayan Awards or GAMABA is an award that recognizes folk


and indigenous artists who remain loyal to their traditions. This award is managed by the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through Gawad ng Bayan
Committee. It began as a project of the Philippine Rotary Club Makati- Ayala but was
adopted by the Philippine government in 1992 and become an institution through a Republic
Act 7335.

This award aims to support and motivate these artists to preserve their artistic heritage
for the present and future generations. These artists are recognized as the Country’s
Intangible National Living Treasure.
To become a National Living Treasure, the candidate must have the following
qualifications:

1. Must be an occupant of an indigenous/traditional cultural community anywhere in the


Philippines that has preserved native customs, beliefs, rituals, and traditions and has
syncretized whatever external elements that have influenced it.
2. Must have involved in a folk art tradition that has been in existence and documented for
at least 50 years.
3. Must have consistently performed or produced over a significant period, works of
superior and distinctive quality.
4. Must acquire a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art, and must have an
established reputation in the art as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical
quality.
5. Must pass on and will pass on to other members of the community their talents in the folk
art for which their group is traditionally known.

GAMABA Awardees and Nominees

1. Ginaw Bilog (1993).A native of Oriental Mindoro who faithfully helps preserved the
Hanunuo Mangyan script and their Ambahan poetry.
2. Masino Intaray (1993).A native of Palawan who exemplary shared his skills in basal or
gong music ensemble. He is a musician and epic chanter (Kulilal and Bagit).
3. Samaon Sulaiman (1993). A Maguindanao of Mama SaPano who showed outstanding
artistry and dedication to his chosen instrument, the Magindanao kutyapi.
4. Lang Dulay (1998). A T'boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, for her skills in weaving the
abaca ikat cloth known as t'nalak.
5. Salinta Monon (1998). A Tagabawa-Bagobo of Bansalan, Davao del for fully
demonstrating her creative and expressive aspects of the Bagobo abaca ikat weaving
called inabal.
6. Alonzo Saclag (2000). A Kalinga of Lubuagan for his mastery of the Kalinga dance and
the performing arts.
7. Frederico Caballero (2000). A Panay-Bukidnon of Calinog, lloilo for his mastery of
chanting the epic tradition of Central Panay, the Sugidanon.
8. Uwang Ahadas (2000). A Yakan of Lamitan, Basilan for his dexterity in playing Yakan
musical instruments such as the agung, gabbang, tuntungan, and kwintangan.
9. Darhata Sawabi, (2005). A weaver of Parang, Sulu province for helping preserve the art
of “Pissyabit weaving.”
10. Eduardo Mutuc (2005). A Kapampangan from Central Luzon for reviving the metal or
smithcraft of Plateria which is in Spanish colonial era.
11. Haja Amina Appi (2005). A Sama of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, for sharing her skills in mat
weaving among the Sama indigenous community.
12. Teofilo Garcia (2012). A casque maker of San Quintin, Abra, Casquefor his skill making
Tabungaw.
13. Magdalena Gamayo (2012). A master weaver of Pinili, Ilocos Norte for his skill in
Weaving known as Inabel.
14. Yabing Masalon Dulo (2016). A master weaver of Polomolok, South Cotabato for his
contribution Ikat Weaving.
15. Ambalang Ausalin (2016). A Yakan master weaver of Lamitan, Basilan for Tennun
Weaving skills.
16. Estelita Tumandan Bantilan (2016). A B’laan master weaver of Malapatan, Sarangani for
preserving the Igem Weaving skills.
17. Whang-od (2017). A traditional tattoo artist (mambabatok) of Buscalan, Tinglayan,
Kalinga.

Other famous Filipino Artists and their Artwork


1. Ang Kiuko (Painting: The Crucifixion)
2. Diosdado Lorenzo (Painting: Still Life Paintings)
3. Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Painting: Portrait of Presidents- M.Quezon; M. Roxas; and S.
Ozmeña)
4. Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture: Oblation and the Bonifacio Monument)
5. Hernando Ocampo (Painting: The Contrast)
6. Juan Luna (Painting: Spoliarium)
7. Napoleon Abueva (Sculpture: Allegorical Harpoon)
8. Solomon Saprid ( Sculpture: Tikbalang)
9. Victorio Edades (Painting: The Builders)
10. Vicente Rivera (Painting: Supplication)
Chapter 5
Paintings
”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and
paints his own nature into his own nature
into his pictures”

Henry Wards Beecher

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. identify the elements of Painting;


2. show the importance of the color wheel;
3. convey an idea about the symbolism and meaning of the colors; and
4. demonstrate knowledge about the mediums in Painting and its characteristics

Springboard

As a preliminary activity for the topic, the teacher will facilitate the activity below:

Painting Analysis: Analyse the painting below and answer the following questions:

(Photo Credit: the author owns this picture)

1. What does the painting say to you personally?


2. What connection do you see between the subject matter and the technique used?
3. What is your subjective reaction to this work of art?
4. What do you think is the cultural meaning and context of the work of art?

Input

Elements of Painting

P
ainting is a style of creating an expression by applying colors to a flat surface or any
mediums like canvas, clay, glass, paper, walls, leaf, paper, or woods. Abstraction or
composition, drawing, and other aesthetics may serve to manifest the expressive and
conceptual intention of the artists (Mayer, 1970). It is an unspoken and mostly unrecognized
dialogue, where paint speaks silently in masses and colors, and the artist responds in moods.
Paint records the most delicate gesture. It tells whether the painter sat or stood or crouched in
front of the canvas (Elkins, 1998). It loaded with narrative content, symbolism, or emotion.

A beautiful painting is not made by photographic likeness, but rather by good composition.
For the artist, the harmony in his/her artwork will depend on the selection of appropriate devices,
peculiar to the medium and the use of certain principles to relate them. A unique style emerges
when an artist recognizes his or her personal preference of dominant design elements and
consciously or unconsciously emphasizes these dominant elements (Ocvirk et al., 2008; Gatto,
2000). The significant aspects of the painting are the line, color, texture, perspective, shapes,
and symbols (Nohay, 2018).

Line. It is the simplest element in the painting. It has a continuous marking made by a
moving point to outlines shape and can contour areas within those outlines. It can suggest
movement (vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and curved). Each line has its meaning: vertical line
stress action, strength, dynamism; horizontal lines means serenity, calmness, stability; diagonal
line express tension, movement; curved lines appear softness, flexibility, gentleness.

Color. The Artists used colors to convey feelings and moods within their painting. It is the
result of wavelengths of lights reflecting of objects. It is composed of three distinct qualities
such as the hue, saturation, and value. Hue is merely the name of the color. Red, yellow, and the
blue are the primary color. Their mixture that produces the secondary colors are green, orange,
and purple.

Texture. It is a component of two-sided and three-sided designs and distinguished by its


perceived visual and physical properties. It is used to describe the way a three-dimensional work
feels when touched. In two-dimensional models, such as painting, it may refer to the visual "feel"
of a piece (Isaac, 2017).

Perspective. It is an art technique for creating an illusion of three-dimension with depth and
space. Its real goal is creating a viewpoint for the audiences that will best communicate the
subject and serve its particular
message.

Perspective is the same as


“viewpoint” and “position.” It
is what makes a painting seem
to have form, distance, and look "real" (Evans, 2002). It is projected according to its levels
namely: foreground, middle ground, and background.

The foreground is the visual plane that appears closer to the viewers. On the
other hand, the middle ground is the part between the foreground and the part
of which is which is called the background. The foreground of a composition
is the illustrative plane that appears closest to the viewer, while the
background is the plane in a composition perceived farthest from the viewers.
The middle ground is the illustrative plane between the foreground and the
background. The scale of these elements often associates to the dominance in
a picture. The foreground is frequently the most dominant due to the larger perceived size of the
picture objects.

Shapes. It is an element in painting that helps express ideas. It helps to interact, and
independently evoke agitation, purposeful energy, direction, etc.They maybe circles, rectangles,
ovals, or square. It is an area with defined boundary created by a variety of color, value or
texture of the areas adjacent to it.
Symbols. The Artists often include symbolic objects in their
paintings that have a special meaning or a special message. It is
used to express ideas such as death, hope, life, etc.

The Color Wheel and its Categories

Colors play a fundamental role in our lives and how we


respond to our environment. It is the visual perceptual property
corresponding in humans to the categories called blue, green, red,
and others. It has two main types, warm and cool colors.

Significantly, a color wheel (also known as a color circle) is a visual representation of color
arranged based to their chromatic relationship. It is a circle shape that is divided evenly into 12
segments which display different color according to its pigment value. It also shows the
relationship between the primary colors, secondary colors, and complementary colors.Other
colors can also be categorized based on the following:

Complementary Colors. These colors sit contrary to each other on the color wheel.
Because they are opposites, they tend to look lively when used together. When you put
complementary colors together, each color seems more noticeable. Examples of these colors are
red and green.

Analogous Colors. These colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. They tend to look
pleasant together because they are closely related. Orange, yellow-orange, and yellow are an
example of analogous colors.

Neutral Colors. They are sometimes called “earth tones.” These colors don’t usually show
up on the color wheel. Neutral colors include black, white, gray, and occasionally brown and
beige.

Warm Colors. These colors are made with orange, red, yellow or some combination of
these. Colors of the sunset give a feeling of brightness and heat.

Cool Colors. These colors are made with blue, green, purple or some combination of these.
These colors make you think of cool and peaceful things, like winter skies and still ponds.

Symbolism and Meaning of Primary Colors

Colors can affect our actions and emotions and on how we respond to various people, things,
and ideas. Much has been studied and written about color and its impact on our daily lives.

Red Color. This is noted as the warmest of all types of colors. It is most chosen by
extroverts and one of the top choices among males. It is a color which is associated with fiery
heat and warmth and has strong symbolism about life and vitality. It is also essential to human
life because:

a. It increases enthusiasm and interest.


b. It gives more energy.
c. It reinforces action and confidence.
d. It protects us from fears and anxieties.

Blue Color. This is known as the calmest color like that of the sky and ocean. It is the color
of inspiration, sincerity, and spirituality and often the chosen color by conservative people. This
color is important to human life because:

a. It is a sign of calmness and relaxation.


b. It opens the flow of communication.
c. It broadens our perspective in learning new information.
d. It implies solitude and peace.

Yellow Color. This is considered as the easiest color to recognize. It is symbol creativity and
intellectual vitality. It also symbolizes wisdom, happiness and brings awareness and clarity.
The yellow color is vital to human life because:

a. It helps us in making decisions.


b. It relieves us from burnout, panic, nervousness, exhaustion.
c. It sharpens our memory and concentration skills.
d. It protects us from depression.

Mediums in Painting

There are different mediums in paintings used today. It helps to describe the elements that
bind the colors in the paint (Martin, 2004). The following are examples of the methods used in
painting:

1. Oil- It is the type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in
drying oils such as linseed oil, poppy seed oil, safflower oil and walnut oil.
2. Pastel- It is an art medium in the shape of a stick or crayons. It consists of pure powdered
color and a binder. Dry pastel can be classified as soft pastels, pan pastels, hard pastels,
and pastel pencils.
3. Acrylic- It is fast drying paint containing pigment suspension in acrylic polymer emulsion
which becomes water-resistant when dry.
4. Watercolor- It is the medium which the paints are made of colors suspended in a water-
soluble vehicle. It is usually transparent and appears luminous because the pigments are
laid down in a relatively pure form with few types of filler obscuring the pigment colors.
5. Ink- It is a liquid that contains colors and dyes and is applied to a surface to produce an
image, text, or design. It is for drawing with a brush, or pen.
6. Encaustic- It is heated beeswax to which colored stains are added. The paste is then
applied to a wood-based canvas.
7. Fresco- It refers to any of several related mural painting types, executed on walls, ceilings
or any other kind of flat surface. The term fresco comes from the Italian word “affresco”
which means “fresh.”
8. Gouache- It is a water-based paint consisting of pigment and other materials designed to
be used in an opaque painting technique.
9. Enamel- It is a paint that air dries to a durable, usually glossy and solid finish. It is used
for outdoor coating surfaces or otherwise subject to variations in temperature.
10. Spray paint- It is the type of paint that comes in a sealed pressurized battle and released
in a fine spray.
11. Tempera- It is a permanent, fast-drying painting medium consisting of colored pigment
mixed with a water-soluble binder method.

Classifications of Painting Styles

Part of the desire in painting particularly in the 21st century is the variety of available art
styles. The style in painting is in two senses: it can refer to the distinctive visual elements,
techniques, and methods that characterized one’s artwork, and can refer to the movement or
school that associated to the artists. Such classifications include the following styles:

a. Western Styles

Abstraction. It is an art in painting which does not attempt to represent an accurate


depiction of a visual reality but instead use colors, shapes, forms and gestural marks to achieve
its effect. It may be formed by reducing the observable phenomenon, typically to retain only
information which is relevant for a particular purpose.

Expressionism. It is sometimes called emotional realism. In this style, the artists sought to
express meaning or emotional experience rather than physical truth.

Baroque. It is characterized by dynamism (a sense of motion), which is augmented by


extravagant effects (e.g., sharp curves, rich decoration). Among the most significant Baroque
painters areCaravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velazquez, Poussin, and Vermeer.

Impressionism. It is a type of art presenting the real-life subject with emphasis on the
impression left in the artist’s perception, particularly the effect of light on the object used as a
subject.

Modernism. It is characterized by a cautious rejection of the styles of the past and


emphasizing innovation and experimentation of materials and techniques instead to create better
artworks.

b. Modern Styles

Realism. It is a style of painting practiced before the invention of the camera, where artists
depicted landscapes and humans with as much attention to detail and precision as possible. The
artist’s primary goal is to describe accurately and truthfully as possible what is observed.

Symbolism. It is an art that represents the subject symbolically. For instance, the
“Spolarium” painting of Juan Luna depicts the suffering of the Filipino people from the hands of
the Spaniards. Many works of art included by some writers who cover the Symbolist era were
produced in the middle of the century, or even before.

Fauvism. It refers to art that used brilliant primary colors or color illumination on subjects
like pictures to emphasize comfort, joy, and leisure. It comes from the French word fauves,
meaning “wild beasts” (this name refers to a small group of painters in Paris who exhibited
works notable for the bold and expressive use of pure color).

Cubism. It is a form of abstraction wherein the object is first reduced to cubes and then
flattened into two-dimensional shapes. It has been considered the most influential and powerful
art movement during the 20th century in Paris established by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso.

Surrealism. It is a type of art wherein the artist creates dreamlike paintings that filled with
mysterious objects. It is the opposite of abstraction that attempts to portray the conscious mind
through unconventional means.

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