READING OBJECTS: A PARADOX OF INTERPRETATION IN MALAYSIAN CONTEMPORARY ART

In Malaysia, there is a paradox of interpretation in the context of visual epistemology. Therefore, this study aims at unlocking the problems in the production of knowledge in the art. In addition, Malaysian contemporary artists appear to have insufficient intellectualism values and no shared vision. The lacks of scholars in the field of visual arts create a gap in the visual arts scene in Malaysia. The question of this study was to uncover the main problems in Malaysian visual arts that led to the problem of interpretation. This is a qualitative study that uses a triangulation method to gather multiple data sources for validation purposes. Furthermore, face to face interviews and document studies conducted in the respondents perception of the problems. The analysis is supported by evidence obtained from observation of the several art discourses. Findings of this study revealed the importance of world knowledge and perception of art based on the critical interpretation. In addition, findings of this study also presents the awareness of the valuable contributions in the visual art not only physical object but also brought the knowledge that can develop further to enhance the communication in the art object.