Reading Children's Drawings Through Analysis of Three Metafunctions

Abstract

For researchers, early childhood educators, and art educators, the contribution of this article is to expand meaning in drawing activities. Perspective in reading pictures using visual culture theory, especially visual grammar. This study aims to share knowledge and experiences in reading early childhood pictures from different perspectives. This research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach through visual material data collection techniques and analysis of three metafunctions. The objects of research are three pictures of children aged 7-8 years, namely the works of winners of the I-III children's painting competition held by PP-IPTEK TMII in 2018. Aspects of the representation structure, interaction system, and composition of each image are analyzed. The research findings conclude that the ideational function of the three images shows a narrative structure of representation and raises the discourse of resistance to the actual situation. The interpersonal function of the three images places the image maker in the real world and as an object of display impersonally. The textual functions of the three images position social life on other planets as a reflection of hope for real social life.Keywords: children's drawings, visual culture, visual system, three metafunctions