Art Appreciation in Sulaiman Esa Paintings through Malay Aesthetics Theory

Abstract

This research explains the appreciation of art in the paintings titled Garden of Mystery (1992) by Sulaiman Esa. The beauty of the paintings and motifs is analyzed using the approach of the Malay aesthetic theory presented by Sulaiman Esa. The problem that arises is how to detect and identify the Malay aesthetic in the motif through the forms, content and philosophies that tend to be with the possession of refinement, flexibility, balance, unity, functionality and symbolism concepts. Research is carried out qualitatively through document analysis, where data is collected and screened from sources such as books, theses, journals, articles, websites and so on by searching for references relevant to the problem. The research findings show that the use of the motif has a link between the philosophy of the beauty of Malay culture and Islamic art. An understanding of the form, content, philosophy, concept and purpose of the application of motif design should be applied in the artwork to form an Islamic image and identity. To enlighten the principles of Malay aesthetics, to provide an understanding of the concept of beauty in the context of the Malay ideology of visual arts and to guide and stimulate the artist to produce new expressions in modern painting.