Had this thing with someone who was older, white, and an adoptive parent, which isn't altogether bad--but I want to tell you, just in case you needed that extra push, that it's okay to push back on some of these ideas because they are Westernized. It doesn't mean that they are bad, but it doesn't mean, just like other things, they are the only thing (and let's not forget about simple center position).
Some text below with a little help from my AI buddy (and edited of course by me).
Japanese Art & Aesthetics: In traditional Japanese art, concepts like ma (space between objects) and wabi-sabi (appreciation of imperfection and transience) are central. Japanese compositions often emphasize asymmetry and negative space, which can differ significantly from the balance-oriented rule of thirds in Western art.
Islamic Art: Islamic art places a strong emphasis on intricate geometric patterns, symmetry, and calligraphy, reflecting a different set of style.
Indian Art: In traditional forms like the Mughal and Rajput painting, there's often a strong emphasis on narrative and storytelling. The compositions can prioritize hierarchical scaling, where more important figures are depicted larger.
Chinese Art: Traditional Chinese landscape painting has often utilized vertical composition with depth and atmospheric POV. Elements can be guided by principles of feng shui or Taoist philosophies, different from the rule of thirds.
