ETHNIC IDENTITY AND SELF-ESTEEM OF CHINESE MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: DOES UNIVERSITY SOCIAL CONTEXT MATTER?

Abstract

This article aims to describe the construction of the Malay-river-civilisation as reflected in 21 paintings painted by Riau Malay artists. In-depth analysis was carried out using a semiotic approach to reveal the ideas and interpretation informing the images. The analysis focuses on the principal signs, images, and symbols presented in these 21 paintings. The findings reveal that the ideas of the Malay-river are strongly related to past and present civilizational understandings. The image of the river had a presence for the Malays, and it was established in four main categories of how artists presented their paintings, namely via: myth, the spirit of life, the identity of Islam, and the dark side of modern civilisation. This study suggests the message promoted through these images communicates to their audience that, beyond the beauty of the Malay cultural identity, nature, and civilisation, there are challenges relating to marginalisation, environmental destruction, and corruption.