The exhibition title references Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles’ (1781–1826) two-volume tome of the same name published in 1817. Ong was curious about Raffles’ time in Java, particularly the British invasion of Jogjakarta in 1812.  The various accounts of the events surrounding the invasion formed the basis of Ong’s own imagined versions of the same and the ground for his new works. 

The exhibition will present epic drawings of historical scenes. Each of these four drawings is almost 3 metres long and 1.3 metres high. Ong will also include a mixed media installation of an effigy of Raffles and a mock historical documentary of Jogjakarta sites Raffles would have visited. 

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“A few intrepid visitors ventured to play with the Raffles doll. Swiss collector Uli Sigg also visited and said it was one of the best shows in Gillman. ”--Stephanie Fong, FOST Gallery 27/1/2015.

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Bibliography: Kompass Indonesia.

http://travel.kompas.com/read/2015/02/01/153700327/Menemukan.Jawa.di.Singapura

Second instalments of this exhibition (Java Stories) was carried out in Art Basel Hong Kong and ArtStage Jakarta 2016.

A publication (From Bukit Larangan to Borobudur) featuring a long interview and essay written by TK Sabapathy was also published.

A solo show at FOST  culminating this body of works on Raffles (in Java) was planned for Singapore Bicentennial 2019, commemorating Raffles arrival in colonial Singapore. A performance-installation by the artist was made in its place instead at the Asian Civilisation Museum in Singapore as part of ACM with the British Museum exhibition (Raffles in South East Asia: Revisiting the Scholar and Statesman ) in Singapore, 2019.

Publication except by Stephen Murphy, ACM. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xC4K4xx8PwPaeEsOEH8tJHoYqb_Cwr-h/view?pli=1

More related biography:

https://www.jimmyong.net/biblio-related-publication