SYMMETRY ART

WHAT IS SYMMETRY ART?

• Symmetry in art is when the elements of a painting or drawing
balance each other out. This could be the objects themselves, but it can
also relate to colors and other compositional techniques. It is a balance
that is achieved by the arrangement of elements on both side of the
center, in other words, the image would look identical on either side,
formed through horizontal or vertical division.
• Symmetry in art is a formal type of balance that consists of mirroring
portions of an image.
-Because of its very structured and equally proportioned
nature, symmetrical balance is best suited for if the desired
effect requires a sense of order, clarity, and consistency. For
the eye, the idea of balance and repetition that follows an
identical rhythm is a place of rest and this type of image is
easy to follow.

-A balanced composition feels right, It feels stable and

aesthetically pleasing. While some of its elements might be
focal points and attract your eye, no area of the
composition draws your eye so much that you can't see the
other areas.
OKIR/UKKIL
 OKIR/UKKIL

• To ethnic Muslims, the term ukkil or okir, means

both the art of sculpting or carving and a
particular curvilinear design.
• 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.
 OKIR/UKKIL
• The Okir (motif) is an exclusive artistic cultural
heritage of the Maranaos of Lanao, Philippines. It is
as an artistic design of the Maranao native
inhabitants of Southern Philippines beginning from
the early 6th century before the Islamization of the
area. Okir is a design or pattern often rendered or
curved in hardwood, brass, silver and wall painting
in curvilinear lines and Arabic geometric figures.
 OKIR/UKKIL
• In the book of Dr. Nagasura Madale, it explains that the
Okir has patterns which are used by the Maranao artists.
They call them: (1) Matilak (circle), (2) Potyok (bud), (3)
Dapal (leaf), (4) Pako (fem or spiral form). (5) Todi (fern
leaf with spiral at upper edge, (6) Pako lungat (ferm leaf
with a cut at ore edge). Other elements found by Dr. Madale
are: Naga, obid-obid binotoon, kianoko, pakonai and
tialitali.
• The terminology used by artists is not familiar with our
common usage because they have their technical terms in
their exclusive use.
Known for using okir

Imao is known for using the okir, sarimanok and the naga as
motifs in his artworks and is credited for popularizing the
motifs to the Filipino national consciousness. Imao draws
inspiration from Tausūg and Maranao art.