Art criticism and a development of identity through Mohd Hoessein Enas' artworks in the context of Malaysian heritage / Noor Sarul Intan Salim

This study of art criticism is about the art work by Malaysian prominent pioneer artist, Mohd Hoessein Enas. This research is focused on the local art critics' writings particularly the issues of society, culture and identity. In general, there were very rare documentations that highlighted the aspects of art criticism. This is due to the shortage numbers of a local art critic, their education background, the inclination of nation's major field and other related problems. As Malaysia is approaching to become a develop nation by the year 2020, the present situation of art criticism is still not adequate. In accordance to that, this research is to explore and analyze the art critic's aspects that comprise the types, approaches, thoughts and content. The analyses on art criticism is crucial in reviewing a new perspective of the national visual art, especially in the context of identity, society and culture. Therefore, all views and written documentations regarding art criticism are being reviewed as an important references in projecting the big picture of local visual arts in the context of the cultural and society. Through secondary research, this study is done with resources to textual data, archives and author's entries. From a number of critics, six (6) are selected as the subjects of primary analysis. These are used as the benchmark point for this study. It involves a qualitative method with descriptive and interpretive analysis of their writings. In order to gain clearer prespective and intepretation, interview is being used so that this research will engage the local art historians, academicians, artists and critics. Apart from being an important historical documentation materials, art criticism can become a valuable medium of education in strengthening critical thinking and intellectual culture among the society. Therefore, there are several suggestions and input to certain groups in order to design a more effective and comprehensive planning to improve the practice of art and cultural criticism. In a nutshell, art criticsm is actually a very mind blowing practice, nourishes the knowledge as well as to boost a big impact in the world of visual arts in Malaysia besides nurturing the culture of intellectuality and impacting the visual culture in Malaysia as a whole.