ARTS and

Society
 Philippine Art
• Includes indigenous art (consist of traditions which go back to the
precolonial period)

weaving woodcarving

pottery

house building backstrap loom

 Philippine Art
Art forms which
contain islamic
elements

weaponry pangalay woven headdresses

ceremonial tapestries
brassware kulintang music
 Philippine Art
• Folk art is also included from lowland christianized communities

chanting of pasyon

cenaculo
Colonial church

salubong
Philippine Art

papier mache

parol
bahay na bato

leaf art
Philippine Art
• In urban centers

sculptures

installations
graphic arts

paintings
Philippine Art

dance

music
theater
 Historical Context of Art
1. Warrior Societies
• Artists specialized in designing weapons
Hagabi
2. Plutocratic societies and sultanates
• Artists catered to their need for status symbols
• Example: “Hagabi” of Cordilleras

3. Feudal societies
• Art produced under patronage
of church and state
Examples: carving of saints
 Historical Context of Art
4. Second half of the 19th century
• Philippines was opened to international trade; this led to
the growth of “ilustrado” class
• Bahay na bato, portraits, landscapes
5. American colonial period
• Expansion of trade, commerce, industry
• UP School of Fine Arts instituted courses in commercial
art
portraits
• Examples: illustration for school books, publications,
commercial posters

Bahay na bato
 Historical
Cont...
Context of Art
• Fernando Amorsolo (Amorsolo School) catered to the
tastes of American patrons for rural idylls
• “Art as a commodity” (in consonance to the capitalist
system)

6. Modernism
• 1928: Victorio Edades’ homecoming exhibit
Ina at Anak
 Historical Context of Art
7. 1960s and 1970s
• Rise of political consciousness; emergence of
social and political themes in visual arts
• “building boom” during Marcos period and
cultural projects and patronage of Imelda
Marcos = stimulated art market

Cultural Center of the

Philippines
Reference

Arts and society handbook (1998). Manila: UP College of Arts and

Letters.