Formal Analysis of Visual Characteristic in Mural Arts at Kedai Mulong Old Mosque, Kelantan

Abstract

A mural is a two-dimensional visual art form that has long been utilized as a decorative element in many buildings worldwide. However, the use of mural art as a decorative element in traditional Malay architecture is seldom encountered, unlike the three-dimensional carving arts or seni ukiran. The discovery of murals at Kedai Mulong Old Mosque (KMOM) during conservation works in 2009 has laid the foundation for new knowledge regarding the utilization of mural art as a decorative element in traditional Malay architecture. KMOM was initially constructed in the mid 19th century as a Balairong Seri (Royal Assembly Hall) before being converted into a mosque by Kedai Mulong's community in 1958. Originally part of a royal complex, the mural arts in KMOM exhibit the finesse and richness of interior decorative elements, contributing significantly to the study of Malay cultural art and architecture. This article aims to discuss the visual features of mural design found in KMOM as a crucial basis for understanding the mural designs used in traditional Malay architecture, especially in the East Coast Region of Malaysia. The study employs a qualitative approach with two phases of implementation: documentation in the first phase and visual analysis for the second phase. The formal method of visual analysis has been applied to analyse the visual characteristics of murals, focusing on two main aspects: the elements and principles of design. The study reveals that the visual elements on the mural include colour, shape, lines, and motifs, while the principles encompass balance, prominence, pattern, and unification.