4. What is Philippine
Art?
Our historical background
makes the Filipino distinct
from their neighbors, but
Philippine visual art has
no singular aesthetic.
5. What
constitutes
Philippine Art?
“We cannot define it
because you can’t have a
static answer to that,”
Philippine art expert
Ramon N. Villegas said
recently, adding that the
“Filipino-ness” of an
artwork cannot be
determined solely by
6. Is there a Filipino Soul?
This insistence to create
something relevant to one’s
nationality is not unique to the
Philippines.
…sometimes, trying to find the
Filipino in certain Philippine art is
like trying to milk a cow when the
cow isn’t a cow after all.
9. The Filipino is a “work in progress”
The Filipino as a product of cultural
influences is especially skillful at taking
these influences and making it their
own.
Philippine Identity?
12. Art
Form
Pre-Colonial Spanish Period
(1521-1898)
American Period
(1898-1946)
Painting Body adornment,
ornament
Religious (icon and
ecclesiastical)
Secular (portraiture)
Genre paintings,
landscapes, still life,
portraits
Sculptur
e
Pottery, carving and
woodwork expression,
jewelry, metal crafts
Santos, furniture,
reliefs, altar pieces,
jewelry, metal work,
ornamentation
Free standing, relief,
public
Architect
ure
Dwellings and
houses, shelters,
worship areas, official
residences, mosque
Church, plaza complex,
town planning,
fortification, civic
buildings and
installations, private
residences, commercial
City planning, parks,
waterfront, civic
government structure,
public works,
apartments,
residences, offices,
13. Pre-Colonial Period
Traditional art that has religious symbols, day to day
activity such as fishing, farming, etc., or a specific
decorative art pattern to the community
Either influenced by animistic (local religion) or Islam-
based
15. Sculpture
Discovered in 1965, the Angono Petroglyphs are believed
to be the oldest known artworks in the Philippines. Dating
to the third millennium B.C., they are a collection of 127
figural carvings engraved on the wall of a shallow cave of
volcanic tuff.
The petroglyphs of Angono are among the oldest surviving
examples of rock engravings in Asia, and are believed to
be the oldest in the Philippines. Archaeological excavations
of the site have yielded fragments of earthenware and
obsidian flakes, which suggest the cave may have first
19. Architecture
Houses were made of light
materials like wood, bamboo
and nipa palm
Some of them built tree
houses to protect themselves
against their enemies, or from
being attacked by wild animals
20. Other Form of Art
Weaving
An ancient art form would weave
fibers such as abaca, pineapple,
ramie, maguey, cotton, and bark cloth
Virtually all attire was hand woven.
Examples include G-string, Maranao
Malong, Bontoc Tapis, Ilong
patadyong, T’boli T’nalak, etc.
21. Unchanged art is still
existing
The Okir (motif) is
an artistic cultural
heritage of the
Maranaos of
Lanao, Philippines
22. Spanish Period
Formal painting, sculpture, and
architecture
Catholic-based work of arts
1521-1898
24. Esteban Villanueva, Basi Revolt, 1821 (14 paintings)
Inspired by: Maître â la Ratiêre, Battle of Marignano 1515)
25. Byzantine Painting Style
Byzantine art is an artistic product
of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine)
Empire, as well as the nations and
states that inherited culturally from
the empire. These are more
Christian-based art.
26. Byzantine frescoes: Langit, Lupa at Impierno, Josef
Luciano Dans ca. 1850
(Inspired by: 11th-12th century Church of Panavia
28. Architecture
The plaza complex consisted
of an open space, usually
rectangular or square in
shape, a chapel or church, a
convent, a municipio or
tribunal, a market place, a
cemetery, and the residences
around it. The physical set-up
enabled the Spaniards to
effectively manage and control
the natives, and bring them
closer to Catholicism.
31. Painting
Art Nouveau
A style of decorative art, architecture, and
design prominent in Western Europe and the
US from about 1890 until World War I, and
characterized by intricate linear designs and
flowing curves based on natural forms
33. Architecture
City planning, parks, waterfront,
civic government structure, public
works, apartments, residences,
offices, health and public education,
business
36. Uy-Chaco Building (Inspired by: Old England
building built in Art Nouveau style. Musée des
Art Nouveau in Philippine Architecture
37. Philippine Modern Art
1946 - 1970
The study of determining what is Philippine Contemporary Art
Period is still being determined since the word has been used
loosely even during the American Colonial Period. However,
some Philippine art historians/critic has always been a
follower of the Western Art Style and its trends at that point,
and thus suggested that this was actually the point where
Philippine Modern Art Period started but went only full swing
after the war. This is set by the creation of the Art Association
of the Philippines (AAP) that in a way has a strong leaning
with the Modernist than the Conservatives (the traditional art
38. Philippine Contemporary Art
1980s to Present
It was on the on-set of the sudden rise of personal computers
and new technology created a new art medium for the arts
and human expression. But there were also countless revivals
of old styles being done. This started a new direction for the
arts, thus setting the name, momentarily, the Philippine
Contemporary Period.
39. 2 Filipino Art Style that Developed
through Spanish Period
1. Miniaturismo
Art style that pays attention to the
embroidery and texture of the
costume
“Portrait of Romano Carillo”
by Justiniano Asuncion
40. 2 Filipino Art Style that Developed
through Spanish Period
2. Letras y Figuras
Art style that fuses letters
with figures in every day
activity amidst a common
background
Usually used in painting a
patron’s full name
42. Key Movements in PH Art
• Movements are styles in art
shaped by artists with a common
philosophy or goal.
• These movements can be borne
out of the social climates that
they became popular in, or be
made as responses to previous
movements.
• Most of the key art movements
found in the Philippines have
Western origin.
43. Baroque
An art movement that arose in Europe
during the 17th and 18th centuries. This
movement was characterized by
extravagant imagery through use of
extensive decoration and
ornamentation. During this period, we
adapted this art style from Spain.
Santo
45. Neoclassicism
This art style followed soon after the
Baroque movement at the start of the
19th century. It harkens back to the
style of the Classical period of the
Greeks and Romans, with an
emphasis on symmetry, order and
simplicity. This movement became
prominent in the Philippines during
47. Romanticism
An art movement characterized by an emphasis on the
senses and emotion, sometimes seen as a response to
the sober methods preferred in Neoclassicism, as
Romanticism also became prominent during the 19th
century. Juan Luna is the most prominent Filipino artist
in this movement, with a blend of some impressionist
style in his work.
49. Realism
This art movement from the 19th century
heavily pushed for the art style of
Naturalism that aimed to represent
nature the way it truly appears. Notable
artists here are Felipe Roxas and
Fernando Amorsolo. Amorsolo, however,
was one of the artists in the realism
movement to paint nature such that he
perfects it, with some stylized depictions.
51. Expressionism
This art movement,
made popular in the
20th century, went for a
style that did not
necessarily concern
itself with observation,
often using geometric
shapes and highly
intense colors, such as
the work of Ang Kiukok.
Other artists use
distortion and dull
colors to depics various
Dog Fight, Ang Kiukok (1982)
52. CUBISM
An art movement that started
around 1907 made famous by
Pablo Picasso, which utilized
the use of figures like cubes,
cones, and cylinders to depict
everything in nature. Vicente
Manansala created transparent
cubism, where the human
figure remained intact while the
background or the environment
was still depicted in the cubic
54. Impressionism
This art movement
became famous in the
19th century with artists
like Claude Monet of
France. This movement
was concerned with
capturing the
impression of light on
objects and scenery,
with artists like Emilio
Aguilar Cruz and
Andres Cristobal beingJones Bridge, Emilio Cruz
55. Surrealism
Made famous in the early 1920s
by artists like Salvador Dali, this
art movement aimed to depict
the subconscious of the artist.
Galo Ocampo is an artist of this
movement.
The River of Life, Galo Ocampo
56. Abstract
Expressionism
Made famous by the
works of Jackson
Pollock, this art
movement pointed out
that the creation of the
art was the art itself, not
just the painting
57. Social Realism
A broad description on
different artworks whose
themes spew biting
commentaries on socio-
political issues of the
country
Aimed to effect social
change through socio-
political pieces
Late 1800s revolutionary
period, and then again in
the First Quarter Storm in
the 1970s (Martial Law)
Martsa ng Bayan para sa Kalayaan,
Katarungan, at Kapayapaan, Edgar Fernandez
(1984)
59. Figurative Art
One of the most popular
movements, as figurative art is
representational, meaning it is
derived from real object sources
Early figurative art in the
Philippines is mostly realistic and
classical, but in modern times,
surreal depictions of human
figures and conditions entered
figurative art.
Kumot, Elmer Borlongan (1993)
61. Conceptual Art
In this movement, the idea is more
important than the object, and
encompasses site-specific art installations,
three-dimensional assemblages of
discards and non-art elements,
performance, and video art. Some of the
works are ephemeral or temporary, and
therefore requires documentation.
63. POP
ART
Pop Art is a distinctive genre of art
that is primarily characterized by an
interest in popular culture and
imaginative interpretations of
commercial products. Renowned for
its bold imagery, bright color palette,
and repetitive approach inspired by
mass production, the movement is
celebrated for its unique and
recognizable style.
The movement presented a
challenge to traditions of fine art by
including imagery from popular and
mass culture, such as advertising,
64.
65. Pop-Surreal and
Lowbrow Art
An underground visual art movement that is
based on comic books, tattoos, punk music and
other alternative-pop culture themes. American
illustrator Dave McKean influenced a lot of young
Filipino artists, who created informal movements
within universities. On the other hand, graffiti art,
which utilizes spray paint and even stickers, has
recently caught on with a lot of young Filipino
66.
67. Regionalism
Regionalism was an American art movement that
centralized around artists working in the Midwest in
states like Kansas and Missouri, it was art that
focused on rural life in America.
What’s unique about where you live? Is it urban or
rural? Some kinds of art explore specific
geographic areas and environments.
74. Secular Artists
Damian Domingo
“First (known/recognized) Filipino
painter”
Founded the first art school in the
country around 1815 to 1820, later
named by the
Agustin Saez
Known as one of the teachers and
inspiration of Juan Luna, Lorenzo
Guerrero and their contemporaries
78. Juan Senson (1847 – 1927)
“Byzantine Style”
Heavily depicted figures
rendered with stiff lines;
Pure colorations;
Symbolic perspective;
Stylized human figures
“Baptism,” Juan Senson,
Biga Church
Attributed Scupltures:
“Yellow Crucifixion”
“Kristong Pagkabuhay”
79. Juan Luna (1857-1899)
Competed against the
Westerner’s “cultural
superiority-mongering”
“Daphne y Cleo” (ca.
1879-1880)
Awarded a silver
palette by the Liceo
Artistico de Manila
“La Muerte de
Cleopatra” (1881)
Silver medal at
Madrird’s Exposicion
80. “Spoliarium” (1883-1884)
Gold medal at the Exposicion
Nacional de Bellas Artes
“Las Damas Romanas” (1882)
Diploma of Honor at the Munich
Art Museum
81. Felix Hidalgo (1855-1913)
“Las Viergenes Cristianas
Expuestas al Populacho”
(1884), was awarded the ninth
silver medal at the Exposicion
General de Belles Artes in
Madrid
“La Barca de Aqueronte” (1887),
and “Laguna Estigia” (1887),
received a gold medal at the
Exposicion General de Belles
Artes in Madrid
82.
83. Fabian de la Rosa
(1869-1937)
“Don Fabian”
Teacher of Amorsolo,
Tolentino,
Manansala,
Francisco, and
Legaspi
Mixture of rural
countryside and
female portraits
using chiaroscuro
method
“Women Working in
84. “Memeng Tolentino”
Works expounded on the value of
Filipino sacrifice through accurate
reproduction of their likeness but
clothing and posing them in idealistic
settings in Beaux Arts manner
“Bonifacio Monument” (1932)
Guillermo Tolentino (1890-
1976)
85. Fernando Amorsolo (1892-
1972)
Tangible sense of historical
detachment between subject and
context
Appreciation of “beautiful” motifs
to argue the motifs of art as a
continuation of the “classical”
traditions of the academy
“nationalism”, “earthiness”,
“condition of the modern”
“Portrait of Fernanda de
87. Victorio Edades
(1895-1985)
Transformation of
Philippine art to
modern art; rebellion
against conservative
academism
“new perceptions of
the external world”
Emphasis on
distortion, emotional
feeling, and radical
coloration
“The Sketch” (1928)
90. Juan Nakpil (1899-1986)
“Father of Philippine
Architecture”
Utilized the Art Deco style in
Filipino structures and later
transitioned to the International
lifestyle
Quezon Institute Complex
93. Carlos Francisco (1912-
1969)
Uses Figurative Modernism
and Asian traditional art
Murals depicting narrative
sweep and epic proportions
of Philippine history and
society
“Bayanihan sa Bukid”
94. Have more freedom to explore
They show their love for country and
evolving culture
Styles come from cross-cultural
exposures from Eastern and
Western world mixed with their
Filipino roots
Many use color to convey emotion
rather than intellectual values
Modern Filipino Artists
95. Jose T. Joya
National Artist for Visual Arts, 2003; Filipino Abstract
Expressionist painter
Hills of Nikko (1964)
Oil on Canvas
Barter of Panay (1978)
Oil on Canvas
99. The movement sought to contradict
some aspects of modernism or
aspects that emerged/developed in
its aftermath
The constituents of this movement
believed that they should no longer
try to create something “new” but
instead “borrow, combine, explore”
what was already existing to
produce something new.
Associated with the deconstruction
of the idea, the disillusionment in
Post-Modern Filipino Artists
107. Kidlat Tahimik
Father of Philippine
Independent Cinema;
National Artist of the
Philippines for Film 2018
Film director, writer, and actor
whose films are commonly
associated with the Third
Cinema movement through
their critiques of
neocolonialism
108.
109.
110. Ben Cab
Hailed as a master of
contemporary Philippine Art;
National Artist for Visual Arts
2006
Painter and printmaker, has
exhibited widely in the
Philippines and in Asia,
Europe, and the United States
Received the Gawad CCP
Para sa Sining (Cultural
Center of the Philippines
Award for the Arts)
112. Justine Amores
Currently a senior History major
at University of the Philippines
Baguio
Medium: Painting (watercolor
and gouache) and photography
Combines vibrant colors for her
illustrations reflecting her
cheerful, amiable, and animated
character
Particular interest on painting
jeepneys, Filipiniana themes,
and recently, on cats
115. We do not have a distinct art
movement, but when we adopt
Western art movements, or any
foreign art movements, we sure
make it with our own flavor.
116. Philippine Art and Key
Movements constitute our
“Filipino identity.” But Filipino
Identity is vague, and to talk
about Filipino identity is to
also talk of inclusion and
exclusion – the sameness
and difference of different
cultures and traditions
(Zulueta, 2014)