THE CONSTRUCTION OF MALAYCIVILISATION THROUGH MALAY PAINTINGS

This article aims to describe the construction of the Malay-river-civilisation as
reflected in 21 paintings painted by Riau Malay artists. In-depth analysis was
carried out using a semiotic approach to reveal the ideas and interpretation
informing the images. The analysis focuses on the principal signs, images, and
symbols presented in these 21 paintings. The findings reveal that the ideas of the
Malay-river are strongly related to past and present civilizational understandings.
The image of the river had a presence for the Malays, and it was established in
four main categories of how artists presented their paintings, namely via: myth,
the spirit of life, the identity of Islam, and the dark side of modern civilisation. This
study suggests the message promoted through these images communicates to
their audience that, beyond the beauty of the Malay cultural identity, nature, and
civilisation, there are challenges relating to marginalisation, environmental
destruction, and corruption.
Keywords: river, Malay, civilisation, painting, semiotic