THE AESTHETIC OF DAMAR KURUNG PAINTING

Damar Kurung is one of the unique Gresik cultural products, has recorded civilization of Gresik people through its painting since the 16th century. It is influenced by Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic cultures. Masmundari was the last female artist who consistently conserved Damar Kurung. After her death, neither the family nor the community has the same expertise to continue the preservation of Damar Kurung. However, the good news has come from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Indonesia on October 4th, 2017, Damar Kurung has been specified as a intangible national heritage. This research is qualitative research. Data were found by field observation methods, visual documentation, literature study, and interviews. The data findings were analyzed by visual methodology in interpreting visual material (color, line, shape, field) to explain the characteristics of painting along with its historical background. The findings of this study are that (1) Damar Kurungs paintings have no perspective, this is due to Hindu-Buddhist influences, such as in the temple reliefs. Although painted without perspective, Damar Kurung has a special technique to describe the dimensions of space (front-back / far-near). (2) Humans are painted in varying sizes, not to describe age, but to distinguish their social status. (3) The selection of colors in Damar Kurungs paintings is also very selective. Without using black or dark blue, Damar Kurung paintings have a special technique to explain the time dimension (day / night). (4) Damar Kurungs paintings also have special techniques to describe abstract things such as noise and air circulation. Although it is only a two-dimensional painting that looks static, it turns out that Damar Kurungs paintings have a variety of technical and philosophical complexities that make this painting very dynamic and beautiful