Any art objects originating
from the cultures and societies outside of the western world is referred to as
non-western art. Cultures of Europe and the arts utilizing European aesthetics
comprise the Western art. Although the arts of colonized areas such as the
United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are considered the West, the
arts from the native people of these countries are categorized as non-Western
art. Though non-Western art traditionally refers to art created in the non-Western
world, its definition has become more flexible due to the modern mobility of
artists.
Like all other art movements, non-Western art has
distinct periods. Japanese art originate with patterns on earthenware until
around 300 B.C. When Buddhism was introduced on 550 AD., Japan’s architecture
was also greatly influenced. Much later, the popularity of the tea ceremony
resulted in highly decorated ceramics. Culture plays a vital role in bringing
out the art of each country through its food, language, social customs, music,
literature and geographic location. Family and society are the main focus of
most non-Western art, and is often seen as communal. Western art is more
self-expressive in nature because it places primary importance on the individual.
In non-Western cultures, art is an integral part of
the people’s lives used every day, in the household and for spiritual rituals.
Non-Western cultures created art that was also admired and kept in special
places for protection such as places of worship and palaces. In recent
centuries, Western cultures also followed this tradition and built art museums
where many people can see and appreciate great art from the past and present.
For us to understand more and gain knowledge about non-Western art, we have to
learn many of the world’s great religions, secular philosophies and traditions
and how the artists in each culture blend their unique spiritual beliefs and
social values in their artworks.
There are three geographical categories in
non-Western art: African art, Asian art and Islamic art. In many African
cultures, art is an essential part of initiation rituals, planting prayers,
harvest festivals, divination ceremonies and funerals. These artworks, which
are used in everyday and ceremonial settings, address individual and community
needs and serve social, religious and political purposes. The arts of Asia
often include commissioned portraits of emperors and empresses, and even gods
and deities. Images from Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as pagan and animist
deities are found in countries such as China, Korea, India, Nepal, Japan, Tibet
and Thailand. Arabesques and geometric tile designs are just some of the
artistic expressions common in Islamic art.
The differences between Western and non-Western art
are numerous in terms of techniques and mediums used. Traditional Chinese,
Korean and Japanese paintings are done on rice paper while Western paintings
are created on canvass. The plastic arts in Western society often focus on
sculpture usually made of stone and metal. In Africa, Asia, South America and
the Middle East, bead-work, textiles and woodwork are the important mediums
used by the local artists. There are also aesthetic differences like in the
Western art; realistic depiction of the human body is an important factor in
artworks for centuries. In non-Western art, Asian and African artists painted
and sculpted human shapes freely while Islamic art and architecture is abstract
and much of the artistic design is focused around the language. The use of
color is also a focal point in Western art, but in China and Japan, using
simple black ink in calligraphy is considered high art.
The arts in the non-Western world continue to evolve
and develop at the same time that contemporary arts do in the West. Societies
with ancient roots are applying new techniques and mediums in their artworks, merging
it with their traditional arts. In some colonized areas, the fusion of European
or other influences are more prominent than others in the arts and aesthetics.
Latin America arts often feature a strong Spanish influence, though in some
areas, a significant African influence is noticeable. Quilting in Hawaii uses
Western fundamentals of sewing techniques but features traditional Hawaiian
design.
I consider non-western art as an enigma because its
art style is diverse and mystical. I still haven’t fully understood this
particular art period but it continues to fascinate me. I cannot also help but
be curious and astonished by the different techniques and medium used because
at the same time, I was able to experience a world of various cultures steeped
in ancient traditions. Someday, I want to create artworks that would bring
cultural significance not only to the world of art, but also through history. I
also hope that more people would be aware and influenced by non-Western art.
Rindsberg, H. (n.d.). Major
Cultures Of Non-Western Art. helenrindsberg.myiglou.com.
Retrieved March 14, 2015, from http://helenrindsberg.myiglou.com/NonWesternArt/Documents/NWArt_MajorCultures.pdf
Ludwig, P. (n.d.). What is
Non-Western Art. ehow.com. Retrieved March 14, 2015, from
http://www.ehow.com/about_6802272_non_western-art_.html
Zaremba, J. (n.d.). What is non-Western
art. answerbag.com. Retrieved March
15, 2015, from http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1953940
Fullen, M. (n.d.). Several
Ways in Which Western & Non-Western Art Differ. ehow.com. Retrieved March 15, 2015, from
http://www.ehow.com/info_8479986_several-western-nonwestern-art-differ.html
No comments:
Post a Comment