The Chinese Influence In Indonesian Visual Art

Chinese culture played a truly significant role in the development of visual art in Indonesia although not as strong as the Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim influences. Many Chinese culture form of artistic expression were adapted and assimilated into indigenous form. The Chinese influence was restricted to an addapted form.

The architectural elements in some temples for example, reveal Chinese influence. It is identical to the original models found in mainland China. In Gianyar Bali, strong links between the Chinese and local people are evidenced by the Chinese-style roofing on the place that was rebuilt at the end of the last century. In Cirebon, China designs were copied by local ceramics and paintings. Chinese influence also occurs in textile, furniture and household objects.

Adapted from Indonesian Heritage: Visual Art, 2003

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Woodcraft

The developing of wood in Indonesia from earliest times, provided the people with the raw materials to produce functional and artistic artefacts. Many motifs found in prehistoric artefact used bronze in woodcarving. Indian influences from around the first century AD led to the developing of a new designs.

Introduction of Islam in the 21th century made some of the designs were lost. The existing motifs that remain today are influenced most with religious style.

Climatic condition problem have eliminated some remain of wooden artefacts from a very early date, it's not leaving many evidence, but it seemed the woodcarving was an early from of artistic expression.

So, we have known now that woodcarving is an old art and keep developing into many from and designs.

Adapted from Indonesian Heritage: Visual Art, 2003

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Indonesian Art

The earliest Indonesian art marked by cave paintings and the arts of the pre-Hindu period. Then came after various design influences - Hindu Buddhist, Chinese, Islamic, and Western; all of these helped to shape the development of what we now see as traditional art.

However, one must remember that there are more than 300 diverse ethnic geoups in the archipelago which have, in their own ways, played a fundamental role in the development of Indonesian traditional and modern art.

Adapted from Indonesian Heritage: Visual Art, 2003

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