Malaysia’s bygone star and cultural icon - the actor, musician, filmmaker, P. Ramlee is depicted here, alongside his wife, the legendary Saloma. Both closely associated with the golden era of Malay cinema in the 1950s, their smiling images are silkscreened on a vibrant chequered background, speckled with flowers and hearts, the colours reminiscent of Pop Art, specifically Andy Warhol’s silkscreen paintings. Superimposed on the mixed media montage are bold, monochromatic abstract strokes. 

Zulkifli Yusoff’s Malaya Series (2007-2009) explores our national cultural history with a sense of nostalgia and humour. Assemblages of traditional icons and social symbols are common in his practice as a means to praise, poke fun at, or critique contemporary society. In weaving together cultural iconography and his dynamic painting style, Zulkifli draws out his personal relationship with his country, exploring what it means to be Malaysian.