Art in Buddhism

Many people know about Christian art, but Buddhist art as a whole, is not so well-known despite the fact that it is one of the six main religions of the world. Buddhist art came about around 500-300BCE and over time has spread all over Asia. Although Buddhism did not emerge till around 500 BCE, it took a couple of centuries for the art of this religion to develop. Buddhist art’s main theme is the Buddha and the life of the Buddha. However, there are also many different symbols and themes in Buddhist art, such as the Wheel, or the Bodhi tree. A lot of art also represent some of the bodhisattvas, which is an enlightened being/ existence.

 The first forms of Buddhist art were found on pillars. A monarch named Ashoka, who ruled around 272 to 231 BCE, had helped spread Buddhism across India by the use of pillars.  The pillars tended to portray pictures of the Buddha and keys aspects of his life, like his enlightenment, as well as earlier Indian beliefs. These pillars were quite Persian like and at first, had Indian subjects like cows, lions and elephants. These pillars seemed to be the first of Buddhist sculpture.

There were also ‘Stupas’, a mound in which relics were placed and a place where some Buddhists may have worshipped. Stupas played an important role in the development of Buddhist art too. Stupas could have lots of decoration and embellishments on; however, it is thought that the earlier Stupas were much more simplified. But there was still a lot of visual imagery on these earlier Stupas, and these images have helped us to learn how art has developed since then.

I find Buddhist art so interesting. I think it is because it evolved nearly 2500 years ago, and yet we know so much about it. It has managed to spread from country to country and it has developed so many variations. It is full of narratives and colour and although this blog is just a very brief overview of how it started off and developed, I hope that it sparks an interest in Buddhism. So why not learn more? There is so much more information out there.

Caught Yellow Handed

Some of you may have heard about the vandalism that occurred at the Tate Modern last weekend. The victim was a Rothko painting called ‘Black on Maroon’ and it was part of a series named the Seagram murals. The culprit had written “a potential piece of ‘Yellowism’.” The culprit has in fact come forward as Vladimir Umanets who is the co- founder of ‘Yellowism’. It is believed that he was trying to draw attention to his movement, as well as increase the value of the painting. But what is ‘Yellowism’? All the articles I have read about this story does not in fact explain fully what it is? Vladimir Umanets says that ‘Yellowism’ is different form art. In art, you have the freedom to interpret how you wish. However in ‘Yellowism’, you don’t have the freedom of interpretation. ‘Yellowism’ is an element of contemporary visual culture. In other words, ‘Yellowism’ is an idea mixed into the modern society of art.

In my opinion, I can’t make heads or tails of this movement. Above all, why draw on a piece of artwork in order to attract people to a movement, which isn’t even to do with art? ‘Yellowism’ is not art nor is it anti- art. So a piece of art should not be vandalized for the publicity of a movement that is trying to tear itself away from the art culture…?

However some believe that he did not vandalize Rothko’s painting.He has even said that the writing increases the value of the painting.It is thought Vladimir Umanets was merely expressing himself onto this piece. This then raises questions. Is expressing oneself onto art vandalism? Or just art in itself? Expressing yourself is seen as art, but is it acceptable to express oneself on another’s expression? And if you understood these questions, what then should be done with Vladimir Umanets? Should he get away with it or be fined etc.?

I personally think he is in the wrong. He has used a painting by a famous artist for his own gain. Although many say any publicity is good publicity, I think that whenever ‘Yellowism’ is mentioned now, people will always think of this crime committed, and that can’t be a good thing.