Arts in the Philippines such as fishing and farming, and specific decorative

art pattern to the community.

Philippines has diverse art forms from its different

regions. These diverse art forms, when integrated,
give a clear picture of how abundant the culture and
tradition of the Philippines is. It continues to evolve
up to the present and progress to contemporary art
tradition. As a Filipino, we should have the
knowledge about the different art forms in the
Philippines to fully understand the culture, tradition,
and nation’s identity. In this module, you will have
an understanding and appreciation of the Philippine
Arts specifically the Contemporary 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. Even
before the colonization, the Philippines already has (Angono Petroglyphs - Google Search, 2019)
its indigenous arts. In this era, art forms were
primarily influenced by the area where our Angono Petroglyphs The Angono Petroglyphs is
ancestors prosper. However, the Spaniards came situated in Binangonan, Rizal. It was discovered by
who tend to replace indigenous arts with western the National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, in
arts. For the period of Spanish rule, art forms were 1965. There are 127 human and animal figures
primarily influenced by religion and secularization. engraved on the rock wall and dated back to circa
Consequently, after more than three centuries of late Neolithic.
Spanish colonization, Americans came. During
American rule, development of Philippine art forms
was mainly influenced by education and
governance. Subsequently, concept of modern art
was introduced and practiced by many artists. It is in
this time wherein urbanization, consumerism,
changes in the political system, and rise of new
technology influence the development of art. Due to
the technological advances, new forms of
expression came in the field of arts and modern art
continuously developed which led to the
contemporary arts nowadays (Luzviminda &
Sayseng, 2016). To describe the development of
Philippine arts, read the information presented.

Ethnic Tradition
Art forms are primarily influenced by the
geographical location and the experiences of the
Filipinos (Luzviminda & Sayseng, 2016). In this time, (Manunggul Jars - Google Search, 2019)
the purpose of arts is integral to life. Arts reflected
the pagan beliefs and practices, everyday activity Manunggul 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 the heaven, crucifixion of Christ; earth, Adan and
in life after death. Eve; and hell, sinners with different transgressions.

(St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral - Google Search, 2019)

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is located in Burgos,
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The original structure was built in
(Banga - Google Search, 2019)
1574 and replaced as a church in 1641. The cathedral
Banga literally means pots. The Banga or pot dance follows a Baroque architectural design.
is a performance of Kalinga of the Mountain
Province of the Philippines. This dance shows the
American Colonial and Contemporary Arts
elegant grace of Igorot tribe and the skill and Traditions
strength of women. Modern art refers to the practice of art from 1860s
Spanish Colonial Tradition to 1960s. the main theme of art works in this time is
national identity.
Art forms were primarily influenced by religion and
secularization. In this time, Spaniards used arts to
propagate the Catholic faith.

(The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo

Date - Google Search, 2019)

The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando

Amorsolo This painting was made by Fernando
Amorsolo, “Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” and
(Langit Lupa at Impyerno Painting by Josef Luciano Dans born in Manila. It shows a reminder of the reminder
- Google Search, 2019) of traditions and customs of the Filipino.

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
 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).

(Bayanihan Botong Francisco Description - Google

Search, 2019)

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
(Art Installation in Sand Dunes of Paoay - Google Search,
Filipino’s bayanihan tradition. This also shows the 2019)
distinctive style of Francisco’s painting that
showcased his mastery in arts. Art Installation in Sand Dunes of Paoay by Leeroy
New Leeroy New is one of the Philippines
Contemporary Arts -refers to the practice of art contemporary artists. He is born in General SANTOS
from 1970s to the present. Contemporary arts City. This art installation of Leeroy New was made
mirror contemporary culture and society. Diverse for the La Milagrosa Festival in Ilocos Norte.
and emerging art practices were being introduced in According to Leeroy New, the art installation
this era. symbolizes the great festivals, feasts and
celebrations (Lape𝑛̃a, 2012).
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, vert ical lines may convey strength,
diagonal lines create an impression of action, curved
lines create an expression of gradual change of
(Cinco Marias Painting Description - Google Search, direction, and circular line may pertain an abrupt
2019) change of direction.
3. Shape and Form- Shape is an area that is enclosed 6. Balance- refers to the even and equal
by a line or lines. Shapes are two dimensional figures distribution of elements.
with height and width. There are different kinds of
7. Emphasis- is a principle which may refer to the
shapes and these are geometric shapes (triangle,
greater impact given on a certain element.
squares, rectangle, etc.), organic shapes (shapes
found in nature, e.g. shape of a leaf or cloud), Contemporary Art
abstract shapes (asymmetrical and free flowing
shapes). Meanwhile, forms are three dimensional Contemporary Art is influenced by the economic,
figures. Its dimensions are height, width, and social, political and environmental context where
volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth. the artist is immersed in. It can be said that
Contemporary Art is the artist’s expression of his
4. Color - In visual arts, color is associated with the
perception and comprehension of these contexts.
natural phenomenon in our environment.
Contemporary Arts in the Philippines is as diverse as
Scientifically, when a light passes through a prism, it
our people. Contemporary Philippine Art is not
will produce different hues of different
confined to the usual genres of the four main art
wavelengths. These colors may pertain to lightness,
forms, namely, visual, literary, applied and
darkness, coolness, or warmth.
performing arts. Genres are categories of artistic
5. Value In visual arts, value is considered a property creation and are characterized by similarities in
of a color which pertains to its lightness or darkness. form, style, or subject matter. Many other genres
came up which include pure are forms as well as
6. Texture In visual arts, texture is the element that mixed art forms. The following are examples from
appeals to our sense of feel on things, rough, each art form.
smooth, bumpy, or slippery. It pertains to the
surface of an art piece.

Principles of Art
1. 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.
Elements of Contemporary Art 5. Integrative, as it encompasses religious, moral,
spiritual, social, and environmental concerns.
Contemporary Arts have different elements that
are put together to come up with a distinct 6. Multi-focal, as it considers everything and
artwork. These elements include: everyone, the wide perspective of the artwork as
well as both artist and viewer.
1. Appropriation, this relates to the modifications
made by the artist.
2. Hybridity, this refers in the use of different art
mediums that are put together.
3. Technology, its application highlights the
creativity of the artist.
4. Performance, carried out for viewers to
experience.
5. Space, intricate use of space.
Contemporary Art Forms from the Philippine
Regions
With modern technology and easy access to far-
flung areas of the country, many artworks have
become known and many more are being created by
present day artists from the different regions. All
forms of art can be found throughout the country.
Artworks coming from the seventeen regions of the
three main island groups of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao, have been exhibited in different
exhibition halls and museums. Viewers have come
to know and, more importantly, to understand the
present-day art expressions of artists who want
their culture, situation and issues be known through
their artworks. The distinct features of
Contemporary Philippine Art include:
1. Communal nature, as it reflects the relationships
build around the bonds of community and society.
2. Intuitive, as Filipinos are immersed in their
consciousness of themselves, their community and
their culture.
3. Holistic, as individuals, groups of people and
events are perceived in their entirety as well as the
unitive use of art materials and forms.
4. Creative process, as the artist puts more emphasis
on now their artwork was made than on the artwork
itself.
angonopetroglyphsGoogleSearch.(2019).Google.com https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601
.https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601299113&r 299113&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083
lz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083&q=angono+pe &q=bayanihan+botong+francisco+descriptio
troglyphs&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved= n&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ah
2ahUKEwilt6S10feDAxVHSWwGHThLB7sQ0p
UKEwi48Zey2veDAxUe4TgGHVWMC7AQ
QJegQIDRAB&biw=1536&bih=730&dpr=1.25#i
mgrc=0LXrSiRmZyl5sM
0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1536&bih=730&dpr=
1.25#imgrc=zgU5mYnfhF37HM
manunggul jars - Google Search. (2019). Google.com. cinco marias painting description - Google Search.
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601299113&rl (2019). Google.com.
z=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083&q=manunggul+jars&t https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601
bm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOi5qn0 309100&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083
_eDAxUpzjgGHUXcCd8Q0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1536 &q=cinco+marias+painting+description&tbm
&bih=730&dpr=1.25#imgrc=akiudcdI9Oz2mM =isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi
95-vl2_eDAxVV-
banga - Google Search. (2019). Google.com. DgGHTvEC6AQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=153
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601 6&bih=730&dpr=1.25#imgrc=fpkgIt2QcwjxI
299113&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083 M
&q=banga&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&
ved=2ahUKEwiVk5iB1feDAxWyhGMGHQ
uDDHEQ0pQJegQIDBAB&biw=1536&bih=
730&dpr=1.25#imgrc=Bdo6Q10CeLobIM
langit lupa at impyerno painting by josef luciano
dans - Google Search. (2019). Google.com.
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601
299113&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083
&q=langit+lupa+at+impyerno+painting+by+j
osef+luciano+dans&tbm=isch&source=lnms
&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL-
_rX1veDAxUc6zgGHdFKCHwQ0pQJegQID
BAB&biw=1536&bih=730&dpr=1.25#imgrc
=YTrn0eykymehKM
st. paul metropolitan cathedral - Google Search.
(2019). Google.com.
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601
299113&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083
&q=st.+paul+metropolitan+cathedral&tbm=is
ch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil8-
b_1_eDAxXPjGMGHUTYDAcQ0pQJegQID
RAB&biw=1536&bih=730&dpr=1.25#imgrc
=p9d_dBau1poZlM
the making of the philippine flag by fernando amorsolo
date - Google Search. (2019). Google.com.
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=601299
113&rlz=1C1UEAD_enPH1083PH1083&q=the+
making+of+the+philippine+flag+by+fernando+a
morsolo+date&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&v
ed=2ahUKEwi9qvu42feDAxWH7DgGHS3NDsw
Q0pQJegQICRAB&biw=1536&bih=730&dpr=1.
25#imgrc=EALZPJPxD3VUuM

bayanihan botong francisco description - Google

Search. (2019). Google.com.