For example, the children might make a point of the combination of animal head and human body, they might especially notice the fat, bare belly of Ganesha, the dark color of the Indian sculpture as opposed to the warm pinkish gray of the Henry Moore. Tell the children that the Ganesha is made of a kind of stone found in India that is soft when it is dug from the ground, so it can be cut easily with a chisel and mallet. When the stone is left out in the air for a time, it then becomes very hard, so it is especially good for sculpture. Therefore, when people prepare to go on a trip or start an important project in their lives, they worship Ganesha. He is also the protector of people who write and produce books.
Objectives Observe some characteristics of art of China.
Look at some Buddhist sculpture. Infer that Buddha is an important figure in Buddhist religion. Identify a Chinese horizontal painting as a handscroll. Suggested Book Glubok, Shirley. The Art of China .