Jimmy Ong, CYMK, 2010
Lithograph and crayon on paper
96 x 69 cm (visible), 138 x 111 x 7 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good, with some foxing on the backing paper, and mould within the glass of the frame.
Certificate of Authenticity available
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Jimmy Ong (Singaporean, b. 1964) is a multidisiciplinary visual artist working between Yogyakarta and Singapore. He trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, graduating in 1992. His early work often surrounds the human figure, creating large-scale charcoal drawings that comment on and critique traditional gender roles, sexuality and family dynamics. His later work evolved into socially engaged installations that interrogated colonial histories and regional memory, particularly through ongoing engagement with the figure of Stamford Raffles across Javanese and Singaporean narratives. His signature Seamstresses' Raffles series, involving embroidered batik effigies and performances in collaboration with artisans in Yogyakarta, reflect his broader critique of colonial legacy and embodiment of spiritual, feminist, and queer perspectives.
CYMK was a part of Ong's "SGD" exhibition at STPI in 2010, which was a commentary on Singapore's material wealth, achievement and good governance. The bold colours here reflect a departure from his earlier monochromatic works. Here, Ong proposes an alternative iconic face on the dollar bill, Lee Kuan Yew, the figure that he views as the architect of Singapore's economic success. He intentionally chose a picture of Mr Lee before 1965, and "processed" this image of power through a mechanical separation of colours for printing.
Acquired from Singapore Tyler Print Institute.
(Photographed in October 2025)