Eleventh Exhibition

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EXHIBIT is delighted to present the London debut of Chinese artist Lam Tung-Pang, “Cities Project: Where is my mum?”.

Lam is one of the most prolific and distinctive artists in the contemporary Chinese art scene. In “Cities Project: Where is my mum?”, Lam creates light sculptures and canvas that draws upon his personal sentiment interweaved between the 3 cities he had lived and worked in: Hong Kong, London and Beijing.

The main body of work, “Shaking China”, is an installation in the basement gallery. It consists of 3 neon light structures, each manufactured in different locations: China, Britain and Hong Kong. Cost equal amount of money for making each neon light, the outcome turns out a discord.

“The intention is to create a poignant measure of the geo-politics and economic condition between the three regions. While the statement is overtly revealed in its physical form, the topic shifted its meaning when the neon “Made in China” is shattered upon arrival. The unpredictable event cast a metaphor upon the fragility and vulnerability China has to face on its path as emerging super-nation.”, according to the artist.

To Lam, this accidental impact inevitably reinforces his current state of awareness of such condition, built upon his previous experience of the natural disasters that struck China the same year, and the recent memory of the devastating earthquakes in the Sichuan province.

Paintings on the ground floor focused on Lam’s experience of living in Beijing, London and Hong Kong. Capturing the ambiguous interiors shown in most glossy ‘lifestyle’ magazines, the series of work raised the ironic question – “Does it make a difference where we live?”

Lam currently lives and works in Hong Kong and Beijing. He uses both traditional (oil, acrylic, charcoal, pencil) and non-traditional (metal nails, sand, plywood) materials to produce his works, which intrigue the viewers long after their first encounter. In most of his works, Lam constantly explores the dynamics between objects and materials, and adds human touch that makes his works more approachable.

Lam studied Fine Art at the Chinese University in Hong Kong and MA at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London. In 2004 and 2005, Lam won two significant UK art awards; Chichester Open Art UK 2004 and Young Artist of the Year, Hunting Art Prize UK 2005.

In 2006, Lam returned to Hong Kong where he was awarded with the Schoeni Prize, Sovereign Asian Art Prizes. He currently lives in Beijing and set up his studio continuing his explorative journey.

This exhibition is a partner event of London Architectural Festival 2008, and the CHINA NOW, the nationwide festival to promote Chinese culture.

22 May – 05 July 2008