“I want the communities to share a mat.”
In her work, Malaysian multimedia artist Yee I-Lann reflects on the history, narratives, traditions and colonial past of her homeland. In addition to Yee I-Lann. Mansau-Ansau (23 August–30 November 2025) at the Kunstmuseum Thun, her first solo exhibition in Europe, she discusses her working methods and her spiritual approach to art in this interview. The interview questions are taken from the book 92 Questions for an Artist by Zurich composer and musician Rio Wolta.
1 Would you say that your work deals with the present, the past or the future?
All of the above. Since I work a lot with archives, historical narratives naturally flow into my research. I deal with history in order to learn from it and find a new approach to the present and the future. So, in a sense, I work across time.
2 Do you think your work needs to be explained?
I like the idea that people can interpret the work however they want, regardless of where they are. So I talk less about the artistic aspect of my work and more about the ideas behind it. My interest in power, for example, or the impact of colonial history on societies. If anyone wants information about the works, it’s easily accessible – for example, in the exhibition texts.
3 What artistic taboos exist in the society you live in?
That’s a very difficult question. I live in Malaysia, and in Southeast Asia we are naturally very sensitive when it comes to religion and our royal families. The issue of ethnicity can also be a sensitive topic. We are very careful not to hurt other people’s feelings. I think there is a general consensus not to hurt anyone, not to do anything that might offend other people’s sensibilities. But at the same time, I think it always takes negotiation, a respectful dance, to do and say what you want to say.
4 What do you want to achieve with your work?
In my homeland, I want to bring land and sea people together; I want the communities to “share a mat”. It is important to me to make them aware of how talented they are and how great their stories are. I want to collect their philosophies. We can learn from this knowledge and find new ways to connect with each other in today’s world. I hope that people in Europe are open to listening to and embracing ideas from Borneo. It seems so far away, but at the same time, people are people.
In addition to these topics, I also want to find innovative ways of using traditional media. I am interested in the question of what stories and thoughts can be conveyed. Every idea can be expressed through a different medium, which is probably why my exhibition features photographs as well as textiles and videos.
5 How much control do you have over your work?
In recent years, I have learned how to collaborate, but also how to let go. My works are always collaborative efforts. My team and I influence each other, which is something magical. And it’s fun to never be able to predict the process, to be alert, to watch for signs that allow us to move forward. But also being able to let go, because sometimes things only happen when you let go. It’s nice to relinquish a certain amount of control to others, to learn from them, to be influenced by them – I do get fed up with myself sometimes, you know (laughs).
6 How spiritual is your work?
One of my favourite words from Malay is niat. Niat means what comes from your innermost being, your motivation. What makes you get up in the morning. This natural, instinct-based quality is inherent in my work. And in my opinion, that is spiritual.