COMPARE:

SPANISH AND MODERN PERIOD ARTWORKS

There are evidences on how the Spaniards used art. One would

Going back from the time when the Spaniards colonized the be about the Purgatory that was found in Paete, Laguna

Philippines, there’s this time when the colonizers used art as a Church. It was made by Josef Luciano Dans.

medium of communication because of language barrier

between Filipinos and the Spaniards. They teach our ancestors

and influence them with their beliefs particularly, the Catholic

faith which comes from salvation.

By means of paintings, they easily illustrate the meaning of

catholic faith and taught them about the purgatory, the

difference between heaven or hell and the justifications of

wrong doings and what must be obeyed for them to be saved

from this “cruel” world. And it is something which I can’t

stand. Until the modern time, some of us are religious only

because this “some” just want to reserve a slot for themselves

in heaven and aren’t concerned in creating a better place for

everyone while still on earth.

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However, there are artist in this era wherein they do not used When it comes to sculptures and different architecture as art in

art for religious purposes, but in depicting some of violent and this time, we could see the designs and the way that it was

cruent scenarios that happened to the Filipinos. For example is made, it was all Spanish style of art. Churches like San Agustin

the Basi Revolt During 1821 of the Ilocanos painted by Steban Church, Santa Maria church and many more.

Villanueva where he saw the awful scene of death march-like

scenario for the

Ilocanos where

they marched

all over the

North to fight

for themselves

in Vigan and

get executed

after 13 days.

Next would be Las Virgens Cristianas Expuestas Al Populucho

Figure 1.1 San Agustin Church
where it shows persecution of young virgins by lustful Roman

men. And it also depicts the mistreated christians in Europe.

Figure 1.2 Santa Maria Church.

Even now in modern world, the culture of Philippines will

always have the influences and style of Spaniards as they

become one with us Filipinos. They became part of our identity

as the time pass by. The only difference is that modern arts are

already explored and there are different variations between

Filipino artist techniques and the freedom that we have right

now to express what we want to express through arts.

The Filipino arts and the competition between abstract and  Carlos “Botong” Francisco

other forms of arts is fast disappearing to many artists. It is said  National

to be looked at a way where in it is a craft not to be mastered Artist in Painting

because of a low value for it. Unlike before we have the 1973.

freedom to do the things that are banned from the Spanish era

in the Philippines and has more freedom to explore more but

only few people are interested. Modern art is all about love for

country and the evolving cuture of Filipinos.

Here are our fellow Filipino artists:

 Jose T. Joya

 National Artist in 

Visual Arts of 2003.  Napoleon Abueva

 Abstract painter

 Vicente Manansala

 National Artist in

Visual Arts of 1981.

 All about Human

Dignity.

 National Artist in Sculpture in year 1976.

 Considered as the most outstanding Filipino Sculptor.

Examine:
(The modern artists based on the lecture notes)

The artwork that we have chosen is The Fishermen by Ang Kiukok.

Examining this artwork based on the lecture notes, I have noticed

multiple things. The line elements of this artwork is two

dimensional more to say, we have notice that with the magnificent

use of line elements in this artwork, it gives this illusion that it is a

three dimensional. As mentioned, the shape of this artwork is two

dimensional and due to the placements of lines it gives this illusion.

The shape of the subject of this painting although varied with the

triangles, feet, or hands, made use of the area of the painting. More

to say, the form of this artwork made the painting it has depth. The

inclusion of the lightness and darkness of the tone is visible. Its

color harmony follows an analogous color scheme which shows the

color combination similar to sunrise. The use of space in this

artwork is not proportional as if there could be a space alloted

above the painting and below as well as the sides to fully encase the

subject in an aesthetic visual presentation. The texture of this

artwork is similar to a smooth bone and innate parallel carvings as

shown in the painting. The depiction of fishermen as they collect

their haul from the ocean may be a reference to the artist’s personal with the fish representing the latter.

journey, and spiritual awakening. In the painting men and fish are

locked in an eternal conflict between ignorance and enlightenment,