The Representation Of Javanese Women In Damar Kurung Painting – Gresik

Damar Kurung Craft is one of the typical Gresik cultural products that have been widely recorded the civilization and life of Gresik people through its handiwork. The existence of Damar Kurung has been around since the Hindu-Buddhist era. It is a lantern that made of bamboo paper with painting embedded that become Javanese’s symbol of life. This is qualitative research with descriptive approach. The object is on the use of visual metaphor that described by Masmundari about Damar Kurung. The purpose of this research is to understand the meaning of symbols that embedded on Damar Kurung by Masmundari. At the same time, this writing is made to understand the environmental context where decoration of Damar Kurung is made, in order to establish the identity and identification of Javanese women. The result of this study is (1) Javanese women do not reject facial makeup, because using makeup is a form of honor, acceptance and readiness of women to face social norm and play their roles in society; (2) Javanese women formulate and communicate their identity through ceremonial preparation process which is mostly done behind (or in kitchen)