PRACH PIMARNMAN AND ROZEE HAREE Project "Aurea Chersonese" The project Aurea Chersonese by Prach and Rozee explores the diversity of communities in Patani, told through the lens of history, movement, and settlement across time. It draws on maritime trade routes that gave rise to cultural pluralism in Southeast Asia. Through research into historical sources, inscriptions, ancient texts, and engagement with historians and local scholars, the artists investigate stories and legends reflecting the cultural fusion of Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic traditions. The project also touches upon the colonial era to present a broader understanding of what constitutes 'Malay' through diverse appearances, traditions, and beliefs. It further reflects on the interwoven histories of trade, power and natural resources, and highlights the enduring presence of Malay folk narratives and mythology. These stories speak to a flourishing past and its lasting influence on the present. In earlier times, Southeast Asia was broadly referred to as Aurea Chersonese, or the Golden Peninsula, a land rich in spices, tin and gold. This abundance drew people from many parts of the world and gave rise to shared myths of city founding. Patani, like Malacca, was home to diverse communities, including Indian, Chinese and Moorish groups, who formed networks and moved across regions during the height of maritime trade. From Langkasuka to the era of Raja Hijau, the first female monarch of the Patani Kingdom, the period from the 13th to the 16th century was marked by cultural vitality. This history created a legacy of interconnected traditions and commercial prosperity, which continues to shape perceptions of the region's past and its cultural identity today. The artists present two works that reflect key historical periods in Patani: the 13th and 16th centuries. These works reframe familiar images from the historical record and draw attention to overlooked details in local legends and shared memory.