Interpretation of Cultural and Environmental Issue as a Theme in Malaysian Contemporary Painting Since 1960

Shahariah Binti Mohamed Roshdi ,Nor Syuhada Binti Ahmahrashidi,Azahar Harun ,Mohd Haniff Bin Mohd Khalid ,Abd Rasid Ismail ,Siti Nur Aliah Binti Abd Rasid

doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i11/4949

Shahariah Binti Mohamed Roshdi , Nor Syuhada Binti Ahmahrashidi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v8-i11/4949

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Abstract

The study of local paintings has been around for a long time and the finding says most of the time, the environment is the main subject matter as source of inspiration. However, only a few researches are being made on the implicit meaning of paintings. In Malaysia since the 90s, environmental themes have declined and rarely seen in records and even so there is some, the finding is not so consistent. Paintings that usually uses landscapes or environmental characteristic as a primary focus, shows the atmosphere of local surroundings and cultural heritage. This study was aimed at analysing the artistic foundations in the paint that emphasized the cultural and environment.This paper discuss about how to interpret the cultural elements and environmental theme that is used and embedded inside the contemporary paintings that is presented in the Malaysian local art scene from the year 1960 until 2016.The theme of local culture and environmental activities often becomes a subject matter for the artist to make a documentation of it with their paintings. The research on contemporary painting in Malaysia was studied for publishing analytical data holistically. Research through visual observation based on a certain art theory is used to obtain data on cultural and artistic environment through observations of multiple artworks. Through this study, the artworks have been used as the primary medium to help the society to better understand and appreciate the aesthetic values of environmental and cultural elements in more elaborate detail. Cultural and environment also bring meaning that relies on current changes affecting heritage and tradition. Through contemporary artworks characterized by cultural heritage should be preserved as it symbolizes the uniqueness and the identity of Malaysia.

Highlights

Study The art of painting appears as an expression of the artist's imagination towards appreciating nature
Animal and plants are being used as the primary subject matter and their painting tells the story of how the environment interacts with their daily activities
The power of the paintings of emphasizing cultural characteristic along with the environment is a satisfaction in its creation (Muliyadi Mahamood, 1995)

Summary

Introduction

Study The art of painting appears as an expression of the artist's imagination towards appreciating nature. Ancient paintings made by earlier generation of humans who resides within Tambun Cave, Perak and in Niah Cave, Sarawak proved that most of early artistic ideas came from the environment at that time. The symbol depicts the development of thought as a cultural relationship, so the painter is often called upon to interpret the surroundings into a creative art product that contains ideas and inspiration from the environment. These elements have always been inviting responses from many artists especially during the British involvement politics within Malaya which began in Penang in 1786 (Muliyadi Mahamood, 2004)

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