Objects, Memory, Meaning & Why They Matter

What are objects without the meaning we attach to them? Do they truly carry the memories of a place and its people? Is looking back at them through nostalgia enough, or is there something deeper they reveal about who we are and the indigenous cultural identities we continue to shape? Join Sabahan artists Jesse Joy and Saerah R. Kunjan as they share their personal & artistic journeys with cultural objects, exploring how these objects carry memory across generations, inspire contemporary artistic expression, and continue to shape our understanding of indigenous identity.

Artist Profiles:Jesse JoyJesse Joy is a self-taught Sabahan embroidery artist currently based in Kuala Lumpur. His involvement in the art scene in Sabah paved his pay to pursue his own artistic path. His embroidery works are informed by the events happening around him, reflections of the inner self and aspects of Sabahan life. His contemporary embroidery style often includes the use of used, pre-owned and found objects as sustainable options to art-making. Jesse's documentary film, Finding Bundusan, inspired by his grandmother's tikar Bundusan weaving was screened in events and exhibitions in various cities, including Singapore for the Southeast Asian Arts Forum. He curated Derivatives: Beads & Lore in Kota Kinabalu Sabah, an exhibition on Sabahan beads, beadmaking and accessories, marking his first foray into curating. In 2022, he started Bundusan Books, a bookshop specialising in Bornean themed publications, bringing Borneo within everyone's reach.
Saerah R. KunjanSaerah R. Kunjan is a neo-Indigenous style artist and ethical wear creator of Sabahan and Sarawakian heritage, now based in Kuala Lumpur. Drawing inspiration from Borneo's rich cultural heritage, her practice blends Indigenous traditions with a contemporary visual language rooted in identity, place, and storytelling. Working across fashion, styling, and design, Saerah reinterprets Indigenous aesthetics in ways that are both modern and meaningful. She has styled and designed looks for local artists, emerging talents, and household names across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. As a slow fashion advocate, she prioritises ethical creation and frequently collaborates with Indigenous artisans to craft one-of-a-kind pieces. Through her work, Saerah celebrates Borneo's diverse cultural legacy while exploring how ancestral knowledge can continue to inspire contemporary expression, ensuring these stories remain relevant for present and future generations.