Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Industries & Creative Culture, DESIGN DECODED 2021, 24-25 August 2021, Kedah, Malaysia

Research Article

Weavers’ Aesthetic Perception on the Visual Complexity of Pua Kumbu Design Motifs: An Exploratory Study

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.24-8-2021.2315100,
        author={Wan Juliana Emeih Wahed and Noorhayati Saad and Saiful Bahari Mohd Yusoff and Patricia Pawa Pitil},
        title={Weavers’ Aesthetic Perception on the Visual Complexity of Pua Kumbu Design Motifs: An Exploratory Study},
        proceedings={Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Design Industries \& Creative Culture, DESIGN DECODED 2021, 24-25 August 2021, Kedah, Malaysia},
        publisher={EAI},
        proceedings_a={DESIGN-DECODED},
        year={2022},
        month={3},
        keywords={aesthetic perception design motifs intangible heritage pua kumbu visual complexity},
        doi={10.4108/eai.24-8-2021.2315100}
    }
    
  • Wan Juliana Emeih Wahed
    Noorhayati Saad
    Saiful Bahari Mohd Yusoff
    Patricia Pawa Pitil
    Year: 2022
    Weavers’ Aesthetic Perception on the Visual Complexity of Pua Kumbu Design Motifs: An Exploratory Study
    DESIGN-DECODED
    EAI
    DOI: 10.4108/eai.24-8-2021.2315100
Wan Juliana Emeih Wahed1,*, Noorhayati Saad2, Saiful Bahari Mohd Yusoff3, Patricia Pawa Pitil4
  • 1: College of Creative Arts, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak
  • 2: The Design School, Faculty of Innovation & Technology, Taylor’s University, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
  • 3: Institute of Creative Arts and Technology (iCreaTe), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Sarawak, Malaysia
  • 4: Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak
*Contact email: wanjuliana@uitm.edu.my

Abstract

Visual complexity can offer a unique direction on how perceivers react and shape their aesthetic perceptions, relying on the art’s formalistic elements and visual content. This study aims to evaluate the weavers’ aesthetic perception of the complexity of the Pua Kumbu design motifs. The complicated art piece was highlighted as the Iban identity, which resembles the Iban’s way of life, beliefs, taboos, and surroundings hidden in the textile patterns. The weaver’s interpretation is its success in transferring the knowledge to the perceivers as they are the storyteller of this majestic art piece. The complexity of the symbols presented in the design motifs contributes to the lack of interest, especially among the young generation, in understanding these motifs' meaning. Thus, a qualitative approach was used to explore the weavers’ perception of the design motifs’ complexity using interviews in structured and unstructured questions. The findings contributed to a basic understanding and the sustainability of traditional human values, hoping that the textile as a valuable heritage will survive and remain relevant for the long term.