Content of the concept of “ethnic painting”: articulation of the problem

Abstract

This article analyzes the concept of “ethnic painting”, Russian and Western sources on the topic, as well as controversial approaches towards its interpretation. It is established that the Russian science avoids using the concept of “ethnic painting” to ambiguity of its content. The most commonly concepts in sphere are “national art”, “ethnocultural manifestations”, “territorial-ethnic nature of painting”, “national peculiarities”, and “national distinctness of art schools”. In Western literature, the concept of “ethnic painting” is attributed to both, folk art and professional art. Parallel is drawn between the concept of “national culture” and “ethnic culture”. The research is based on the painting of Circassians (Adyghe) of Russia and Turkey. Using the methods of comparative studies, comparative typology and art analysis, the article explores the works of contemporary Circassian painters of Turkey and Russia, revealing the specificity and universal characteristics of their paintings. The works of professional artists, which meet certain characteristics, should be referred to as “ethnic painting”. The author describes the key attributes and functions of plastic arts that allow classifying it as the concept of “ethnic”: 1) figurative characteristics (visualization of mythological and epic heroes and plotlines, ritual and common culture); 2) translation of ethnic mental characteristics and values; 3) design of ethnic identity and solidarity by means of painting; 4) introduction the art of painting not only to the elite, but other social classes as well; 5) usage of public instruments for proliferation and popularization of painting through education and enlightenment; 6) comprehension of ethnic art as a crucial element of national art; 7) development of ethnic art through various contaminants (ethnocultural content and modernist form or technique; modern content in the traditional genre or form).