Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

Development of Philippine Arts

The development of the Philippine arts comes in three major traditions. These are the Ethnic Tradition, Spanish
Colonial Tradition, and American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Traditions.

 Ethnic Tradition - Art forms are primarily influenced by the geographical location and the experiences of the Filipinos. In
this time, the purpose of arts is integral to life. Arts reflected the pagan beliefs and practices, everyday activity such as
fishing and farming, and specific decorative art pattern to the community.
- Notable Art: Painting: Body adornment and Ornament; Sculpture: Pottery, wood and metal carving; Architecture:
Dwellings and Houses (Bahay Kubo)
- Art Forms from other Regions: 1. Manunggul Jar – this jar is found in Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan in
the early 1960s. Manunggul jar is a burial jar which signifies the belief of early Filipino in life after death. 2. Banga -
Banga literally means pots. The Banga or pot dance is a performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province of the
Philippines. This dance shows the elegant grace of Igorot tribe and the skill and strength of women.
 Spanish Colonial Tradition - Art forms were primarily influenced by religion and secularization. In this time, Spaniards
used arts to propagate the Catholic faith.
- Notable Art: Painting: Religious Portraiture: Langit, Lupa at Impierno ; Sculpture: Religious figures and carvings: the
sculpture of the saints these were used primarily for the church altars and retablos. Carved images of saints, floral
decorations, or leaf decors; Architecture: Church, plaza, civic buildings, fortress, road, and lighthouse construction.
- Art Forms from other Regions: 1. Langit, lupa, at Impyerno by Josef Luciano Dans - this wall painting by Josef
Luciano Dans will be found in St. James the Apostle Church in Paete, Laguna. This painting was dated 1850 and
depicts the heaven, crucifixion of Christ; earth, Adan and Eve; and hell, sinners with different transgressions.
2. St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral - located in Burgos, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The original structure was built in
1574 and replaced as a church in 1641. The cathedral follows a Baroque architectural design.
 American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Traditions
a. Modern Arts - refers to the practice of art from 1860s to 1960s. the main theme of art works in this time is national
identity.
- Notable Art: Painting: Landscape, portrait, still life example is the work of Fabian de la Rosa “ Women working in a
rice field.”; Sculpture: Freestanding, relief, a public example is the work of Guillermo Tolentino the “Bonifacio
Monument” in Caloocan; Architecture: City planning, public works, structures, and infrastructures example is the
Malacañang Palace.
- Art Forms from other Regions: 1. The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo - This painting was
made by Fernando Amorsolo, “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” and born in Manila. It shows a reminder of the
reminder of traditions and customs of the Filipino. 2. Bayanihan by Carlos “Botong” Francisco - Carlos “Botong”
Francisco was born in Ango, Rizal. This painting by him was dated in 1962. This mural painting of Carlos “Botong”
Francisco shows the Filipino’s bayanihan tradition.
b. Contemporary Arts - refers to the practice of art from 1970s to the present. Contemporary arts mirror contemporary
culture and society. Diverse and emerging art practices were being introduced in this era.
- Notable Art - Painting: Collaborative, Hyper-realist, new painting example is The Fisherman by Ang Kiukok;
Sculpture: Junk scrap, neo-indigenous, site-specific, performance art, a hybrid example is the People Power
Monument made by Eduardo Castrillo; Architecture: Real estate, safe housing, condominiums, subdivisions,
villages, malls, commercial/business/convention buildings example is the SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay city
designed by the Miami-based architectural firm Arquitectonica.
- Art forms from other Regions: 1. Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series) by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz - Federico Aguilas
Alcuaz was born in Santa Cruz, Manila. Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series) depicts the variety of domestic activities
(Guillermo, 2007). 2. Art Installation in Sand Dunes of Paoay by Leeroy New - Leeroy New is one of the Philippines
contemporary artists. He is born in General SANTOS City. This art installation of Leeroy New was made for the La
Milagrosa Festival in Ilocos Norte. According to Leeroy New, the art installation symbolizes the great festivals, feasts
and celebrations.
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Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

Elements and Principles of Art

Art forms from various regions or from various artists contributed to the picture of Philippine’s identity as
a country. And as a Filipino, it’s important that we have knowledge to describe these art forms based on its
details and elements, in relation to our country’s culture and tradition, that makes it an artistic piece. In the field
of arts, knowing the elements and principles of arts is important, not just to the artist but also to the viewer, to
have a deeper understanding of an artwork. Now, let us know these elements and principles of arts.
 Elements of Art
1. Space - In visual arts, space pertains to emptiness which may either be positive space or negative space.
Positive space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape, while negative space refers to the opposite
part which the shape is enclosing.
2. Line - In visual arts, a line is a series of connected points. It may come in two characteristics: form –
curved, dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different types of
lines may convey different meanings. For example, a horizontal line usually suggests calmness, vertical
lines may convey strength, diagonal lines create an impression of action, curved lines create an
expression of gradual change of direction, and circular line may pertain an abrupt change of direction.
3. Shape and Form - Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are two dimensional figures
with height and width. There are different kinds of shapes and these are geometric shapes (triangle,
squares, rectangle, etc.), organic shapes (shapes found in nature, e.g. shape of a leaf or cloud), abstract
shapes (asymmetrical and free flowing shapes). Meanwhile, forms are three dimensional figures. Its
dimensions are height, width, and volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth.
4. Color - In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our environment. Scientifically,
when a light passes through a prism, it will produce different hues of different wavelengths.
5. Value - In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which pertains to its lightness or darkness.
6. Texture - In visual arts, texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on things, rough, smooth,
bumpy, or slippery. It pertains to the surface of an art piece.

 Principles of Art
1. Proportion - Proportion refers to the relationship of the size of elements in a body of art. For example,
when drawing a human standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the size of the human is
proportional to the size of the house.
2. Harmony - In visual arts, harmony is the unity of the artwork, specifically about the arrangement of the
related elements.
3. Variety - In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means adding multiple, different
elements to break the monotony of an artwork and make it more interesting.
4. Movement - In arts, movement is the illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture design, or in a piece of
art.
5. Rhythm - This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern. In visual arts, repeated
design elements may create a certain flow and may lead the viewer’s eyes.
6. Balance - Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements.
7. Emphasis - Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element.

These elements and principles of arts are essential to understand the meaning of a piece of art clearly and
deeply. In relation to that, diverse art forms in the Philippines convey its meanings through the elements and

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Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions
principles present to them. So, as we described some art forms from the various regions through the
development of Philippine arts, let’s use the elements and principles of arts to understand it.