The Orang Besar Series: "YB"

Yee’s Orang Besar Series: ‘YB’, (2010), engages with notions of power and political prestige in Malaysia.  In these still-life compositions, batik textiles, tailored details, and floral corsages represent the elevated status, ethnicity, and social standing of local politicians or YB (Yang Berhormat, meaning “the honourable”). Upon closer inspection, however, we realise that the corsages are made up of flowers in various states of decay.  Presented in mismatched gilded frames, these works continue in the tradition of 17^th century European still-life paintings to convey social critique and moral meaning, alluding to the transitory  nature of political prestige and power.