History Lesson

Multidisciplinary artist Zai Kuning explores one of the lesser-known narratives of Southeast Asia with his presentation at the 57th Venice Biennale.

Like many of his contemporaries, multidisciplinary artist Zai Kuning has dedicated years to developing his craft. Over more than two decades, his research on the orang laut or sea people of the Riau Archipelago, said to be the first people of Singapore, formed a significant part of his artistic practice.

Through his interactions with this community, marginalised because of their nomadic and animistic way of life, Zai came across the performers of mak yong, an old Malay operatic tradition on the brink of extinction. But one figure long held his imagination: Dapunta Hyang Sri Jayanasa, the first Malay king of the pre-Islamic Srivijaya Empire.