JASMINE BERASATEGUI - NON WESTERN ART

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Art creativity indeed flourished in countries such as North America and Europe, but that doesn't mean that as time passed, art and creativity became more prominent in other countries. In countries such as Japan, Africa, and other non-Western countries, artists became more experimental and expressive in their love for art. Their main goal was searching for purpose and meaning and for creating something unique, rather than conforming to usual art ideals. 

"Takiyashi the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre"/ Utagawa Kuniyoshi/ 1847

This painting was a part of the Ukiyo-e genre. This genre was a type of Japanese art that focused on subjects like female beauty, scenes from history, folktales, flora landscapes, etc. Utagawa for this painting, focused on the folklore aspect as this painting tells the story of a princess who summoned a giant skeleton to protect her from henchmen looking to kill her. It shows the henchman attempting to kill the princess as the skeleton ominously watches from behind. The artist uses color to make the skeleton stand out since the background is created using dark colors, in contrast to the bright white bones from the skeleton. The pattern is also shown with how the princess's dress has a floral pattern as well as some floral elements in the background, which makes the painting look softer as the first thing that is noticed is the giant skeleton. My favorite thing about this painting is how it tells a story, one that leaves the viewer questioning if the princess survives or if the skeleton fails to protect her.

https://www.arthistoryproject.com/artists/utagawa-kuniyoshi/takiyasha-the-witch-and-the-skeleton-spectre/

"Flaking off Painting" / Saburo Murakami / 1957

There was a group that was uprising in Osaka, Japan as a part of the non-Western countries creating more artwork called the Gutai group. The work that was created in this group was sometimes political by nature and helped precede art movements in the 50s through 70's. Saburo Murakami was one of the most influential artists during this time who was a part of this group. In this work, the texture is a noticeable component in this painting and it is one of my favorite parts about it. He made this painting by originally painting black and then letting it fade and chip off so it would show the red underneath. It was meant to represent the artist's feelings with time and change. The color also stands out with the black and red complimenting each other. 

https://www.taheza.com/non-western-art-movements/

"The Great Wave off Kanazawa" / Hokusai / 1830

This print revolutionized Japanese prints for the future, but the biggest stand out point is the colors. The colors are what help make this print so influential and successful with the usage of blue pigment on the waves. It is unknown what is the true meaning of this piece, but interpretations say that this is a mix of humans, terrestrial, and the divine with how large the wave is compared to Mount Fuji, which is the centerpiece of this art. The composition is also a big stand-out point with how large the wave is compared to one of Japan's largest mountains, there are many details put into the waves which makes it pop out to the audience. As well as the color due to the background of this print being dull with a hue of black and white, makes the waves the first thing the audience sees from the print. 

https://www.famsf.org/artworks/under-the-wave-off-kanagawa-the-great-wave-from-the-series-thirty-six-views-of-mount-fuji