Ancient Celtic Sculpture

Ancient Celtic sculptures date back over a huge expanse of time, and are still not fully understood today. Typically Celtic art is ornamental, avoiding straight lines and often involving complex symbolism. 

Muiredach's High Cross, Ireland

I think that a lot of Celtic sculptures were of high religious significance and were prized dearly.

Detail from the Tully Lough Cross

Ancient Russian Sculpture

Ancient Russian sculptures were mostly made in the form of decorative wood carving and were quite polychromatic. Sculptures were mainly images of saints, with the most attention paid to the faces while the figures were covered under the dresses and thus looked flat.

Uncle Grigory by S. Konenkov

I believe that ancient Russian sculptures were focused on religion because they show devotion.

Pavel the First by F. Shubin

Indonesian Tattoos

Some tribes in Indonesia use elaborate full-body tattoos to distinguish themselves. For these tribes, the art of body tattooing is not only an artistic expression but is part of one's life cycle where tattoos signify age, social status, and profession.

A tribesman from the Mentawai

At around 11 or 12 years old, children are given their first tattoos starting from the upper arms. At 18, tattoos are applied on the thighs and then the whole body. The Mentawai believe that "dressing" themselves up with tattoos forms an essential part of life and their culture, since in the afterlife they will be able to recognize each other and their ancestors through their tattoos.

Mentawai tribesmen

Ancient Greek Sculpture

Greek sculptures were used to depict the battles, mythology, and rulers of Greece. The main materials used were marble and bronze, though not always.

Laocoön and His Sons, Vatican Museum

I believe that Greek art - particularly sculptures, were a means of expressing symbolized humanism and displaying how important man was.

Athena in the workshop of a sculptor working on a marble horse, 480 BCE

Ancient Egyptian Painting

Ancient Egyptian art paintings are characterized by regularity and detailed depictions of human beings and the nature around them. They were intended to provide company to the deceased in the 'other world'.

Wall painting of nefertari

I think that Egyptian artists went to great effort in preserving their work, so that people from the future can see how they lived.

An early Ramesside Period mural painting from Deir el-Medina tomb depicts an Egyptian couple harvesting crops

Modern Latin American Graffiti

In Latin America, most graffiti has a political edge that is meaningful and thought provoking. There are many different types of graffiti, though all are progressing towards the same goal; to get their message out to the public.

A fake smile hides sadness

I believe Latin American graffiti is trying to communicate a message to the people and get them to wake up about corrupt government and policies.

Supporters believe deceased president Hugo Chavez followed in the footsteps of other Latin American revolutionaries

Ancient Roman Painting

The ancient Romans lived in a highly visual society, and always had many paintings in their houses. In general, Roman paintings/monuments were designed to serve the needs of their patrons rather than to express the artistic temperaments of their makers.

Fresco from the Villa of the Mysteries. Pompeii, 80 BC

I think that Romans used paintings and other art to add class to their own home, and in turn made their empire look better overall.

Pompeian painter with painted statue and framed painting Pompeii