Question about Art from different cultures?

Question

Okay, so i have to take a test that consists of identifying distinguishing characteristics between the Artwork of different cultures like: N. America, S. America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Australia and the Middle East. I know a lot of art is usually based on culture and beliefs, its just hard to distinguish a type of art from one culture to another. Can anyone help me pleeaaasseee???

Answer 1

You can answer the question two ways you can talk about the differences based on religious beliefs, or lack there or . Or you can talk about how "art" is based on culture.

For example Native North American art consisted of statues and trinkets comprised of different Gods and honoring mother earth; much the same as  South American Art.  Whereas African art was based on their beliefs of life after death and what was needed to succeed after life here on earth. And so On......

Or you can talk about modern cultural differences how Europeans think a woman with curves is beautiful the west thinks bone thin woman are beautiful, etc

You might want to distinguish a period of time as what was considered "good" or "beautiful" has changed through the decades.

Hope that helps.