TIKAR/MEJA @ The Back Room

Borneo Heart is coming to KL! As part of the festivities, we’re pleased to be hosting Yee I-Lann’s 𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗥/𝗠𝗘𝗝𝗔 in our gallery this February. ‘Historically, we had no tables in Southeast Asia; we sat and met on mats. Tables came in with others – the Malay word “meja” derives from the Portuguese “mesa”. The table, to me, represents the violence of patriarchal, colonial administration, which declares, via the census, land survey, school, and museum: “I tell you who you are.” The mat remembers feminist, egalitarian communities. TIKAR/MEJA juxtaposes the power of the table against the power of the mat. A table on a mat is like a stone on paper in a game of rock-paper-scissors, when my open hand encloses your fist. To decolonise is to see the table and to see the mat.’ — @yeeilann. 𝗧𝗜𝗞𝗔𝗥/𝗠𝗘𝗝𝗔 An exhibition by Yee I-Lann featuring work made with weaving by Kak Sanah, Kak Kinnohung, Kak Budi, Kak Leleng, Kak Horma, Makcik Bilung, Kak Roziah, Adik Dela, Adik Erna, Abang Boby, Adik Alini, Adik Aisha, Adik Darwisa, Adik Marsha, Adik Dayang, Adik Tasya, Adik Shima, Adik Umaira, Abang Tularan 25 February–12 March 2023 (registration not required) + The Back Room and The Zhongshan Building are stops along the wider journey of Borneo Heart in KL. More info here: IG/FB borneoheart.exhibition, linktr.ee/borneoheartinkl, borneoheart.yeeilann.com