18th / 19th Century Yao Painted scrolls, North Vietnam

Art. A subject that seems enticing, mysterious as well as ambiguous. An area where it is hard to be sure of oneself especially with respect to valuation.

When I look at modern art priced in millions it always makes me wonder about human sanity and question how much of that value can be attributed to art and how much to marketing effort.

But in the case of old cultural art, valuation is a totally different thing.

The colors, the drawing and the layout have been tested by time itself and it is easy to see the beauty in these paintings. The valuation always seems to be less than the perceived beauty and does not alarm the viewer. Time itself makes its presence felt through the aging colors making these antique pieces very desirable.

Two examples of antique cultural paintings created by Kin Mun Yao hilltribes in the 18th century can be seen below. Even today these people groups live very basic rustic  lives close to nature so their environment a few centuries ago must have been harsher. Yet within that harsh setting, they created these works of art.

The artists are unknown and unsung but their art deserves appreciation and valuation that is commensurate with the beauty and the spirit that went into this creation.

For more details visit the WOVENSOULS online gallery (http://wovensouls.photoshelter.com) of timeless art.

From the Yao Mien group of Vietnam

The age mentioned is an estimate – these could easily be older.

There is so much delight and pleasure in beholding these works!

I wonder if the people who painted them had any idea that their art would travel  so far across history and geography and give joy to strangers?

More photos on http://wovensouls.com

jm

Jan 2013

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