Culture List

These are a limited list of cultures you may

want to explore.

AFRICA: Is the second largest continent of the earth.

It is divided into five sections - north, south, east, west,
and central. Masks and sculptures are the most well
known African art form. African art is an important part
of daily life. They do not separate art and its use.
Materials used are usually locally found.

Nigeria: Modern Painting (painting)

Ivory Coast: Senufo Painting (painting)
Nigeria: Adire Eleko (fibers)
Botswana: Coiled Baskets (weaving)
Ghana: Kente Cloth (fibers)
Zaire: Kuba Cloth (fibers)
Gabon/Congo: Sculpture (sculpture)

THE MIDDLE EAST: Part of the world that is between Europe and Asia. Followers of Islam refer to
themselves as Muslims and Islam is their religion. The country of Israel call themselves Jews and Judaism is
their religion.

Islamic art refers to any art form from the Arab countries of the Middle East. In the 7th century, the rise of Islam
brought about a religious and cultural change. The Koran became the holy book of Islam. It set rules of
standards for Muslim behavior. Arabic writing became a major Islamic art form.

Mosques are temples of worship for Muslims. Islamic law forbids

the use of human and animal images in mosques or the Koran. As
a result, art became filled with complex geometric patterns and
intricate floral designs.

Turkey: Illuminate
d Tugras (design)
The Middle East: Geometric Designs
Arabesques and Palmettes (drawings)
Iran: Persian Miniatures (paintings)
Egypt: Portraits (paintings)
Iran: Persian Carpets (fibers)
Israel: Batiks (fibers)
Iraq: Clay
Seals (ceramics)
ASIA: Is the largest continent on the earth. It is divided into the different areas Central Asia (mainland
China,) East Asia (Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea,) Southeast Asia (Thailand, The Philippines,
Indonesia,) and South Asia (India, Nepal, Pakistan.) There are a variety of religions, cultures, and languages
that make up the Asian population. Asian who live in the Central, West, and Southeast Asia are called
Mongoloid or the yellow race. Buddhism is the major religion. South Asia is different from the others. They
typically have darker skin and the major religion is Hindu.

Asian art varies greatly and reflects the people who live
there. Many art forms are not unique to just one country.

Japan: Sumi-e (painting)

Japan: crest designs Mondokoro or Mon
(design)
Japan: origami (paper folding)
Thailand: Silk Painting (decorative fabrics)
India: Wood Block Prints (printing)
India: Lacquer Work (crafts)
China: Cut-Paper Designs (design)

EUROPE: Has many countries and ethnic groups. It is divided into Northern Europe (Great Britain: england,
wales, Scotland as well as the Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden.) Eastern Europe refers to
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania. Central Europe is France, Switzerland, Germany. Southern
Europe: Italy, Greece, Spain. The majority of
indigenous European people are light skinned and
classified as Caucasian.

There are three classifications of European Art.

Classical refers to work created during a specific art
movement that has been classified as being superior.
Folk Art was produced by common people without
formal training or association with a classical
movement. Skills were taught from generation to
generation. Art Nouveau was developed that was not
associated with classical or folk art. Art was directed
towards the applied arts of graphic design and the
decorative arts.

Germany: Albrecht Durer (printing)

Europe: Art Nouveau (applied
arts/advertisement)
Italy: Trapunto (quilting)
Switzerland: Calligraphy (beautiful handwriting)
Poland: Wycinanki (cut paper)
UNITED STATES: Referred to as the Melting Pot due to the
large numbers of immigrants. Majority were from European
descent.

The First Americans (Native Americans) were who inhabited

America before European settlers. Many tribes developed their own
craft.

Colonial America was during 1650-1775 when people from Europe

settled around the eastern seacoast. They developed into the
thirteen colonies. Folk Art refers to the art that included silhouettes
and pierced papers.

Native Americans:
The Plains: Parfleches (painting)
The Southwest: Sand Painting (painting)
The Southeast: Pattern Patchwork (fibers)

Colonial Paper Crafts

Colonial America: Silhouettes (paper crafts)
Colonial America: Pierced Paper (paper crafts)

CANADA: Like America, most of the people were from European

origins. The indigenous people (native tribes and Eskimos) are only a small percentage of the people who live
there.
Northwest Territories: Inuit Painting (painting)

LATIN AMERICA: Comprise of Mexico, Central America and South America. They are primarily Spanish-
speaking countries with roots from three main groups: native Indians, Spanish Settler, and from the Amazon
Jungle in South America.

Pre-Columbian art refers to art created by native Indians who inhabited what is now Mexico, Central America,
and South America from 300-1500 AD (Maya, Aztec, and Inca.)

Post-Columbian art was developed in the Latin American countries

after the Spanish conquerors arrived 1500-1900 AD. This type of art
is known as Folk Art (Panama, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala.

20th Century art is is from the last 100 years.

Brazil: Tropical Rainforest (drawing)

Mexico (drawing)
Panama: Mola (crafts)
Mexico: Nearikas (crafts)
Mexico: Amate Paintings (painting)
Peru & Guatemala (sculpture - painted gourds)
Mexico: Tinware