From the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Army, or even the Summer Place, China is filled with historical landmarks that many tourists can enjoy. As with many countries, there is a special characteristic that helps define one from another. As a Chinese American, I have admired Ancient Chinese art from afar.
It has qualities that differ from that of Western and Southern art.
There are many different kinds of Chinese art; pottery, jade sculptures, Buddhist architecture, watercolor paintings, landscape paintings, calligraphy, poetry, music, and even silk patterns.
What are the details that can make a statement?
Art in ancient China began during the Neolithic period, where the Chinese people were farming and looking out for their livestock. Archaeologists have confirmed that art began to have some shape beginning around 7500 BC, ahead of all other ancient civilizations.
Jade has played an important role in Chinese lives as a symbol of perfection and good fortune. Starting in 3400 BC, archaeologists were able to see evidence of jade use throughout their lives.
The Chinese could make anything out of jade from discs, small boxes, to some small figurines.
Jade has been used to make many different sculptures and even dinnerware.
Around 18.2% of China’s population was practicing Buddhism (around 244 million people), making architecture inspired. Buddhism is one of China’s biggest influences and has been around since the late 6th century B.C.E. There have been many Buddhist carvings on walls or even outside buildings; below is an example.
Traditional Chinese paintings have always specialized in precision.
Using Chinese calligraphy brushes, artists must be able to line up strokes properly and control the amount of ink they use in each stroke. Below is a bamboo piece painted entirely with brush and ink. Bamboo paintings are quite common in all East Asian countries, especially in Buddhist temples as it helps monks find a passion through nature.
Although the Romans were the first to invent calligraphy, China has created its own calligraphy writing style.
Calligraphy is “decorative handwriting or handwritten lettering” (Oxford dictionary) and helps connect the artist with the viewer through elegant fonts and colors.
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