UNIT 4 - Introducing Art in Asia:

ART IN ASIA
The Art that Emerged from the
Orient and the South
This unit explores the art that emerged in
the continent of Asia, particularly in the
Eastern regions and the South and
Southeast regions. Since the early
civilizations to the renaissance, the West
focused on getting ahead of their
contemporaries in Europe; little did they
know, the East thrived and developed their
own distinct art styles that showed how
Asia is a force to be reckoned with in terms
of Art.
TOPICS IN THIS UNIT:  philosophies. Most of Indian art have Hindu and
1. Indian Art
Asia is a vast territory that stands as the
world’s biggest continent. Considering this
factor, one can realize the wide variety of
culture, landscapes, and art forms that can
be found in Asia. Most of the art around
this time concentrated on religion,
narration of events, and architecture.
Indian Art
A. Introduction
Indian Art mainly focused on depicting and
representing religion. Wall carvings,
paintings, songs, and literature dating back to
its early years. Indian art can be distinguished
by its colorful and elaborate details usually
telling some background on Indian faith and
Buddhist (Different from the Chinese Buddha)
touch to it.

 Characteristics B. Characteristics
 Milestones  Often represented the Hindu gods, their avatar
or reincarnation, or the Buddha.
2. Chinese Art
 Colorful and vibrant, often using the color
blue for their god Vishnu and his
 Characteristics reincarnations while using warm colors for other
 Milestones themes most of the time.

3. Japanese Art  Skill in carving stone is very important in Indian

Art because rocks and stones are
 Characteristics the most abundant material that they can use
 Milestones
 Music and Dance are also very much
4. Korean Art appreciated. This is also prevalent in their
rituals, festivals, and films.
 Characteristics  Censorship is also not a problem because
 Milestones Indian Art is welcome to eroticism.
(Sexual desire or excitement.)
5. Philippine Art 
C. Milestones
 Characteristics A. Sculpture
 Milestones  Erotic Temple Wall Sculpture Konark
Sun Temple, India
 Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
 Relief Sculpture of the River
 Goddess, Ganga/Ganesha  Indian music and dance value melody
more than harmony.
The Buddha in Indian art is depicted differently. Chinese art
Compared to the Buddha of the Chinese the
Buddha in Indian Buddhism shows a slim
A. Introduction
Buddha sits on a lotus. This emphasizes the
Chinese art has evident styles showing
Indian culture that aims to renounce earthly
Confucianism and Buddhism (Different from
desires. The slim figure signifies the control of
Indian Buddha) which basically entails that
eating and slacking off, while the lotus means
Chinese art also valued morality principles along
purity, divinity, and ever-lasting youth is
with religion and faith. Chinese art typically uses
attained when one is spiritual.
Chinese calligraphy and texts, brevity and
B. Painting nature depictions in literature, and use of local
 Painting of Prince Rama and Sita instruments in songs. Chinese art also tends to
from the Ramayana use local art materials and products to add a
certain intricate feel to their own art (Rawson,
 Painting of Lord Vishnu, God of
Jessica, et al., 1992).
Preservation
Although there are some traces of Indian
C. Literature
influences in the Chinese, the Chinese are more
 Reflection of their faith
influenced by Taoism rather than India’s
 Concentrated on religion, mainly
Hinduism.
Hinduism and Buddhism
 Usually about the divinities, rituals,
moral teachings, and doctrines B. Characteristics
 Mythology and stories of creation
present in Indian literature are also
connected to Hinduism which show
pagan faith and animistic perspectives.
 Examples of these are the Vedas, the
Cloud Messenger, and the
Mahabharata.

On the basis of moral principles and

perspectives, Buddhism also shaped Indian
literature. Through written doctrines, moral
principles, and spiritual teachings like
Renunciation of earthly desires such as greed
and ignorance will grant one the end of
suffering."

D. Music and dance

 The uniqueness of Indian music and
dance stems from its religious origin.
They regard music and dance as more sacred
than artistic. Although they Make sure that it
is artistic; music and dance are being
done.as an offering to their gods and
goddesses.