Art Historical Writing Method

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Introduction There are two types of art historical writing method, Anne D’alleva (2006). One method involves the formalistic aspects of the art. This type of writing mainly focuses on the formal aspect of the arts only such as the shape, form, patterns and also included the technique used by the artist. Another method was the contextual method which put emphasis on the context behind the art itself. This may involves the semiotic behind the art regarding the culture and historical events surrounding the art. In the context of this research, the researcher has decided to conduct a comparative study between two of Malaysian traditional textiles, the Pua Kumbu and Cindai. The study will relatively use both methods (Formalist

It is a hand woven wrap ikat textile which commonly associated with the Iban Ethnic community in Sarawak East Malaysia. It is also commonly found throughout the region used by other Ethnicities such as the Bidayuh, Murut, Lun Bawang, Kenyah and many others. Pua Kumbu is often considered to be a sacred object of numerous uses and great significance in the traditional life of the Iban Community. Pua Kumbu The Pua Kumbu is made from homespun cotton and dyed using natural dyes namely roots of morinda citrifolia and tarum leaves. The motif on the pua kumbu is produced using the resist technique called ikat. Cindai “Cindai” or also known as “Limar” is one of the classical textile of the Malay Kingdoms in the South East Asia. It is commonly used as a shawl, usually weaved from fine soft silk originating from Gujerat India. Known as “Patola” in its homeland, the people of the Nusantara called it “Cindai”. “Cindai” is made using the “Ikat Ganda” or double-knot technique. Motifs and patterns were created from the process of interviewing the warp and the “Pakan” or the weft on the loom. By this method, the designs were therefore created different from prints such as

Cindai or LimarThe collection of “Cindai” in the Museum of Asian Art and the local museums are in from of long shawls similar to Indian sarees. Some measure 5.5 meters with tassels at the end, dark red in color with repeated designs and motifs of flowers. Problem Statement Both Pua Kumbu and Cindai were originated from the Sarawak and the Malay Peninsula. They can be categorized as ritual textiles and according to Gavin. T (2003), both of the textile were also known as one of the oldest traditional textile in the world. However there have been few documents and written records about these ritual textile. Based