‘So much of my work is about the people helping me’: artist Jaffa Lam on her creative process
The Hong Kong-based artist also discusses the importance of art history and personal history in her work, and the importance she places on the location she is exhibiting in
Jaffa Lam, a Hong Kong-based artist, has been nurtured by her experiences in the city throughout her career. She is known for her innovative use of recycled materials, such as sewing together umbrella "skins" to create tent-like structures and adapting their metal and plastic "ribs" into window-like frames. Her creative process often involves working with groups of women, who help her design patterns, share skills, and contribute to the stories behind her art.
Lam's recent exhibitions have taken place in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and mainland China, with each location offering a unique perspective on her work. In Hong Kong, her pieces are displayed in collaboration with organizations like HKWWA and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In mainland China, her work has been shown at He Art Museum and Power Station of Art.
She emphasizes the importance of incorporating objects from daily life, like umbrellas and wooden spindles, into her art, as these items hold personal and cultural significance.
The artist's recent exhibitions, such as Asteroid J-734 at Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Hong Kong, showcase her ability to blend history, heritage, and personal experiences in her work. The exhibition features three and a half rooms that evoke a sense of journey, reflecting her own experience of grieving her mother's passing. Despite the changing art infrastructure in Hong Kong, Lam remains focused on her creative process and the people who help her bring her ideas to life.
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