Essay 1: Introduction to Non-Western Art Non-Western art is created by a variety of cultures including African, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese. It focuses heavily on architecture used for worship such as domes, temples, and mosques. Non-Western art can inform the viewer on the values held by the religions practiced by billions of people around the world. Western art differs from Non-Western art in that Western art is the art of Europe. Western art is generally more popular and is categorized by its period such as Romantic, Byzantine, or Medieval. Much of Western art reflects biblical text, stories, or historic scenes due to the influences of church and state. Although Western and Non-Western art differ in several ways, they are also alike; various Western cultures have influenced Non-Western art. For example, Southeast Asia, composed of countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, came into close contact with India and China due to the trade routes of the Silk Road. Merchants stayed in the same areas and began to develop relationships and families with one another, causing the culture and art of Southeast Asia to be influenced by India. As the Buddhist religion spread along Asia, European and Muslim cultures emerged. Soon, most of all Southeast Asia had become Muslim and their beliefs were changed. Architecture brought forth by Asia includes the Silk Road Tombs found in the city of Kucha, which is along the routes connecting China, India, and the Roman Empire. Big