What's the story behind this artwork? How did you get your ideas for these series?
I had long wanted to create a series about Langkasuka, an ancient Malay Hindu kingdom, first recorded by the Chinese in the 1st century [BCE]. It is believed to have covered [an area encompassing] what is today [parts of] northern Malaysia and southern Thailand and is said to be an ancestor of the Pattani culture. The title is taken from Stewart Wavell's account of the expedition he led to locate Langkasuka in 1963. The subject of my image is in fact a Malay lady from Besut, Terengganu, and the playful suggestion being that she too might be a daughter or descendent of the Naga King.

What does the work represent and how does it relate to the exhibition?
In this project, I had taken a step back from my subject, switching my role as storyteller to that of commentator and critic. The romance of traditional cultures enjoyed in my work, is cut here by subtle subversions and alternative readings, current affairs and issues, just as the exploration of printmaking has transformed the aesthetics of my watercolor medium. Combining a traditional medium and highly realistic portrayal situations helps me reconcile the often tragic contradictions of our time.