Contemporary art, craft and hybridity: Malaysian encounters and responses.

This practice-based research examines the importance of expanding the Malaysian visual culture heritage in light of the enormous impact of hybridity on art and craft in Malaysia. The research addresses the question of the impact of hybridity on art and visual culture by focusing on production of artworks from indigenous Malaysian craft - traditional fabrics Pua Kumbu and Batik, and the Sarawakian layer cakes. The main objectives of this research are to understand the problems, consequences and effects of hybridity on art and visual culture and to produce artefacts that explicitly illuminate a new understanding of the dynamic that obtains between hybridity, contemporary art and craft traditions in the Malaysian context. Questions pertaining to the affects of hybridity and globalisation towards Malaysian politics, economy and social aspects were addressed in the artworks as a key aspect of this research. Furthermore, development of the Malaysian art scene in relation with hybridity will be discussed in the light of contemporary art progression historically. Analysis of the theory of hybridity, connections between hybridity in art via the works of international and local artists, will put forward to clarify theses areas. This will include exploration of the issue of national identity. This research will engage in the production of artefacts in the context of a varied studio practice, developing and employing throughout the course of the research materials and techniques deemed appropriate in the production of artefacts that embody the quality of 'local' cultural forms in dialogue with, or resistant to, forms associated with an exogenous, 'global' culture. The artwork production opens up the phenomenon of the current process of hybridity and the issue of Malaysia's national identity. This research will adopt descriptive, heuristic and comparative methods within an overarching practice-led methodology. The building, implementation and evaluation of methodology together which include exhibitions and audience are the key components of this research. Critical review of the production of artworks is seen to be an integral part of the research methodology; this process will encourage and sustain multi-disciplinary approaches to the research question. This research has revealed the connection between hybridity and the advancement of the Malaysia contemporary art movement that has been undergoing transformation through the process of modernisation. Above all, as a Malaysian artist working in the United Kingdom, my practice differs from the normal practice of Malaysian artists who translate "Malay" culture into art work in that it offers a critical view on political, economical and social issues in Malaysia.