ON TO THE WEST!

          The art beyond the West, from what I understand, is a mix between the strong and the gentle. They appear to be both at the same time. Bold lines are scattered everywhere and soft colors seem to embrace them. The art of this era is mostly sculptures and paintings. The art beyond the West hovers over African art, Oceanic Art , Native American art, Islamic art, Indian art, Chinese art, and Japanese Art. The predominant styles of this era are symbolism, naturalism, abstractionism and realism. They used a variety of materials, some of these are rocks, wood, metal, ceramic, clay, marble and oil. The focus of their art is in their religion, people and tribes. Like most of the other eras of art, this particular era is a product of continuous rejection of different proposed changes in art. We can conclude that the people of these era were very much religious and pretty much stuck to their own ways and beliefs. 

          The art of the Africans were mostly of rock paintings and engravings. It is also noticeable that their artworks focus on their people/tribes and their religion, among these are the door from

A hunter figure (Nkisi Nkondi).

Iderre, various masks used in ceremonies & rituals (including the Mboom helmet mask) and ancestral figures such as the Nkisi nkondi and ancestral couple. There are also instances where they give praise to their kings through art. Some artworks which feature the importance of the king are "Altar of the Hand" from Benin, Nigeria and "The ruler of Orangun-Ila" by Airowayoye I. Oceanic art is divided into Polynesia, which is known for their massiveness & compactness; Melanesia, which is mainly about wood studies & carving and; Micronesia. The native art of the Americans (mostly in Mexico and Peru) was rich and was wholly shaped by their religion. Most of the art of Mexico

A casta painting by Miguel Cabrera. This
symbolizes the marriage of two cultures.

were made by the Olmecs and they were carvings of huge heads, small stone carvings and wooden poles which were painted brightly and intricately --- the same applies for art in Peru. Spain also had a big influence on Mexican art caused by the clash of both cultures. Islamic art and Indian art are both characterized by sophisticated & intricate designs and a sense of importance o their religion. Most of their art are places for worshiping such as mosques and temples, the famous ones

The Great Stupa. The dome symbolizes the sky
and the fence (Vedika) acts as a barrier between
the heavenly and the earthly. More rituals are
outside rather on the inside.

being the Taj mahal; the Great Mosque at Samarra and; The Great Stupa. The Chinese and Japanese art are more on the oriental side of art and both showcase a sense of peace to the eyes. The Chinese art was inspired by the principles and morals of Confucianism which was the major way of life during that time, while the Japanese art contained more colors and designs.

Sudden Rain at Atake and Ohashi by Ando Hiroshige.

          I highly believe that the art in this era would not exist without the presence of their (respective) religions. These were the primary factors that made the art beyond the West possible. The art beyond the West served as a starting point for the establishment and settlement of the modern art.