LESSON 3: The

Context of ART
 FAQ What is a context?
• Context refers to settings, conditions,
circumstances, and occurences affecting
prouduction and reception or audience
response to an artwork.
• It is a set of background information that
enables us to formulate meanings about
works of art and note how context affects
form.
FAQ Whate are the different contexts
of art?
• A. Artist’s Background – the artist’s age, gender,
culture, economic conditions, social environment,
and disposition affect art production.
• Travels, training, and professional development
broaden the artist’s horizon.
• Migration provides the artist with a different set
of material conditions and relation of production,
thus affecting his/her artistic disposition.
Cutting Onions Always Makes Me Cry
(1988)
by: Julie Lluch
• B. Nature – Nature can be seen as a source of
inspiration and a wellspring of materials for
art production.
• When it comes to the built environment, the
availability of resources for construction is not
the only factor taken into account but also
environmental conditions such as topography
and climate.
Traditional Ivatan House in Batanes
Angud a Forest Once
by: Junyee
 Fernando Armosolo
the first named National Artist (1972)
Toilers of the Sea(1980)
by: Ricarte Purugganan
• C. Everyday Life – Philippine traditional art has
always been an integral part of daily life. Its
significance lies not only in its aesthetic
appearance but also in its functionality and its
value to the community that produced it.
Because traditional forms may also be used in
daily private suituations. It is experienced
more intimately, and engages many senses
simultaneously.
Pabalat
Marina Cruz
Sandata ni Shiva
by: Lirio Salvador
• D. Society, Politics and Economy, and History
–

Although art is a form of expression, we discern

that throughout its history, the works are not
always created out of artist’s full volition.
Changes in the society, politics and economy
affect artists, the work that they do, and the
structures that support their production.
• The 19th century is a period which brought
much economic prosperity to a segment of
Filipinos who later became elite. This was
partly caused by the opening of Suez Canal
which made travel and trade more efficient
between Spain and Philippines.
• This paved the way for development of secular
art which identified the affluent Filipinos as
the new art patron.
• Technological innovations engender shifts in
artistic production. It was only in the early 20th
century when photography became accessible
to local photographers as Kodak set up shop in
the Philippines in 1928.
 Dalagang Bukid
by: Hermogenes Ilagan And Leon
Ignacio
Brown Brother’s Burden (1970)
by: Benedicto Cabrera
• E. Mode of Reception – aside from
considering our personal identity as a
perceiver of art as well as the context, it is also
important to note when, where, and how art
is encountered.
Installation shot from Gaston
Damag’s Ifugao Red exhibit
• Reception is very much affected by our level
of exposure to artforms that may be
unfamiliar or have startling or shocking images.
• In 2010 Mideo Cruz rose to national
prominence or notoriety depending on your
point of view, over his work Poleteismo at an
exhibit titled Kulo or boil at the CCP.
• His installation which featured a sculpture of
Christ with a Phallus on His nose, among other
provocative elements, shocked a vocal
segement of Filipino public.
Poleteismo