Presentasi Diri Anggota Komunitas “Kelompok Pegiat Ilustrasi” melalui Karya Seni

Abstract

This research is entitled “Self-Presentation of Kelompok Pegiat Ilustrasi Community Members Through Visual Artworks”. The purpose of this study is to explore how members of the Kelompok Pegiat Ilustrasi (KPI) community present themselves through visual artworks, and how intrapersonal communication influences this process. Using Erving Goffman’s self – presentation theory—particularly the concepts of front stage, back stage, and impression management—this research is also grounded in the context of intrapersonal communication as a form of self-reflection among artists. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach with a constructivist paradigm. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and documentation involving seven active KPI members as primary informants, and three art and illustration experts as triangulation sources. The findings reveal that visual artworks are consciously used as a medium for self-presentation. Personal identity is shaped and refined in the back stage, then expressed publicly through illustrations on the front stage. Intrapersonal communication plays a key role in aligning emotions, self-concept, and visual messages. Additionally, the KPI community provides a supportive environment for exchanging ideas, receiving feedback, and enhancing members’ confidence. This study highlights that art is not merely about aesthetics, but also a strategic medium for self-expression and identity construction within social spaces.