As an artist who grew up in the Philippines
http://julianoteyzaart.blogspot.com/), now living in the United States and son of Victor Oteyza (
http://victoroteyza.blogspot.com/), one of the founders of modern art in the Philippines, I have seen all styles of Philippine art but have not been able to see what sets them apart from the rest of the world. I'm not sure if there is such a style that can identify an artist's country of origin. Aside from the traditional paintings of Philippine life, costumes and scenery, it seems impossible to determine the origin. I can tell the difference between African art, Indian art, European art though.
I am hoping that we have found a unique style by now just like we have done in song (Rod Garcia
www.rodshacienda.com), dance (Ballet Manila), cinema (Kidlat Tahimik
http://kidlatahimik.blogspot.com/), spoken/written word ( Reme Grefalda
http://oovrag.com/).
Please send me you comments and thoughts regarding this question and maybe we can find an answer. I will be posting different styles of Philippine art as we go along.
FEEDBACKMel says: mahirap sa tingin kong i-define dahil sa sobrangimpluwensya ng european art sa bansa natin.ang oil paint ay materyal ng mga dayuhan. angcanvas ay ganun din. siguro 'hybrid' ang pinoy art.sina manansala, amorsolo at iba pa ay impluwensyadong sining ng dayuhan. masasabi sa tingin ko na ang sining ng mga katutubo ang totoong sining natin. isa ito sa mga na 'demonize'o ni-label na 'primitive' ng mga puti. itinuring nainferior. bahagi siguro ito ng pag instill sa ating isipan upangma-subjugate ang kataohan natin. bahagi ng kanilang pagsakop.matagal nang nangyayari ang globalization. malaki ang utang ng impressionism sa japanese prints atang cubism naman ay nangyari dahil sa mgasimplificationsng african art. 'hybrid' na din sila. so kung itongpointof view na ito ang ating titingnan ay masasabi natinnaang pinoy art ay sinda, amorsolo, edades, kasama angiyongama to satiago bose, kidlat, belleza to ocampo,borlonganat lahat ng nasa gitna nito. anything done by a pinoyartistis part of pinoy art.nagkaroon siguro ng bulag o 'invisibility' kaya parangnawala ay sa dahilan sa sobrang pag yakap natin sa westernculture.namatay at ikinahiya natin ang sariling atin. naniwalatayo na 'mali' at inferior nga ang ating kultura.masyadonating iginalang ang kanila at binalewala angkatutubongkultura.malaking bagay para sa akin ang sinimulang paghukayat pagbabalik ninda bose, kidlat at iba pa sakatutubongkultura. sa tingin ko'y dito magkakaroon ng maliwanagatklarong identity ang pinoy art. ngunit hangga't tayoay mas ginugusto pa ang mga 'imported' na bagay aymananatilitayong nakalutang sa kawalan.
Rod comments: Trying to define Filipino art could be as difficult (if not impossible) as defining "American art." The first and most obvious approach to seeking a broad brush definition or description is to say it is art that stems from Filipinos. If a people were homogeneous, there's a possibility of doing this; but it's hard to define "Filipino" in the first place. We're so varied, and have strains from other cultures running through our artistic veins. For example, Boy Katindig represents the best in Manila-based jazz (at least back in the early 80s). But even if he is a Filipino, is the music coming from him, really coming from non-Filipino artists (his influences)?
On the "art" component of the definition of "Filipino art," we look for a style or form, as well as a certain type of content to fill that form. Filipino form is tricky to define. But content can be obvious (e.g., a portrait of a "bahay kubo" is perhaps uniquely Filipino in content.) It's not as easy in other cases: Black Eyed Peas singing a spiffy rhythm and blues/ hip-hop version of a 70s Filipino ballad. Is this "Filipino art." Anyway, I'll follow up with more later.
Take care,Rod
Josie adds: Actually, that subject (What is Pinoy art?) has been festering ever since I can remember --- even while I was still at UP. Some people volunteered "Overall" - ism (crowded canvas) Also, as a Pinoy artist, anything you paint is Pinoy art. (What about Pinoy American citizens? he he. ). Genre .. of course One good art teacher used to say about a very skilled painter (or artist maybe) .."He's such a good painter (of objects and people) --- maybe his hand should be cut so his brain can work!!" Do Pinoy artists THINK when they conceptualize? Or do we even know how to spell the word? Anyway --- for people like us who had been colonized for centuries, the culture blend is so rich and diverse that it is hard to pinpoint a certain distinction. Even our faces and skin tones are varied and colorful. Then, we embrace other cultures readily such that we mix easily, yet tend to group and talk Pinoy - at the expense of exasperated foreign guests (and partners who have given up feeling out and frustrated) --- so how do you "artsy" that? Had been working on this and even have sought out a writer friend in the Philippines. Will let you know what I get. Maybe Pinoy art is just eclectic. But we need a new term. In my case, altho am associated with abstract expressionism, some observers "find" me through my palette (purple and derivatives) and strokes (swirls impasto) --- even while painting out different subjects. Josie
Learn more about Julian and Linda's activities by clicking on the Blogs below:
http://hawaiishots.blogspot.com/http://manilacafe.blogspot.com/www.guitaround.comhttp://artpinoy.blogspot.com/
