Bio/CV
Lau Wai (Wai, Lau)
(born in Hong Kong) currently lives and works in New York City. My work utilizes manipulated image, video, drawing and object exploring the multilateral constructions of identity in relation to race, gender, nationality and how we perceive ‘reality’ around us. I attempt to investigate how history, fiction, memory and virtuality collided in the process of identity formation through elements contained in personal and historical archives, cinematic imagery, popular culture, digital media and latest consumer technologies.
Education:
MFA Visual Arts, Columbia University, New York, 2020
BA (Hons) Fine Art (Studio Practice and Contemporary Critical Studies),
Goldsmiths, University of London, 2007
_______________________________________________________
Solo Exhibitions:
2018
“The Memories of Tomorrow”, Lumenvisum, Hong Kong
2017
(Dual-solo) “Photo Booth”, Para Site, 2017 Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2014
'Staging Encounters: 10 Years of Contemporary Photography in China', (International section -Solo exhibition), Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
Group Exhibitions:
2019
A History of Photography: Selections from the Museum’s Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, U.S.A.
ISCP Benefit Auction Exhibition, Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
Very Natural Actions (presented by Arts Collective Ltd , co-curated by Andre Chan and Jing Chong), Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong
INSIGHTS Exhibition, PHOTOFAIRS | Shanghai 2019 (Curated by Claire Shea, Para Site Deputy Director), Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
FotoFest/ INTERSECT, SILVER STREET STUDIOS, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
On the Map (Co-curated by Bianca Bosker and Elizabeth Denny), Denny Dimin Gallery Hong Kong
Aesthetically Functional Only, 1675 Broadway, New York, U.S.A.
Courses of Action (Curated by Carlos Quijon, Jr.) , Goethe-Institut, Hong Kong
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A.
2018
Time/Space: Brief as Photo- Dialogue between Joseph Fung and his Contemporaries,
Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
Lianzhou International Photo Festival, Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival, Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Centre, Xiamen, China
Emerging Curators Project 2018, "A Tree Fell in the Forest, and No One's There",
Power Station of Art (PSA), Shanghai, China
Kuandu Biennale, "Seven Questions for Asia", Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan
"Crush", Para Site, Hong Kong
“Follow Me”, OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (OCAT Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
“Relativity Hypothesis”, J: Gallery, Shanghai, China
2017
"Follow Me"- New Narratives in Contemporary Photography, China-Switzerland, OCAT Shanghai, Shanghai, China
2016
“->”, Blindspot Gallery, Hong Kong
“Sojourn with Stranger”, Mur Nomade, Hong Kong
Les Photaumnales– "Love Hong Kong: La photographie hongkongaise (1950-2015)", Le Quadrilatère, Beauvais, France
Denmark Photo Biennale -"Cities and Memory", Brandts Museum, Odense, Denmark
Hong Kong International Photo Festival - “Voices: Cross Vision on French and Hong Kong Photography”, Comix Home Base, Hong Kong
Singapore International Photo Festival- "A Room with a View", Earl Lu Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Singapore
Argentina International Photo Festival (Encuentros Abiertos- Festival de la Luz), “Yuen Yeung”, Museo de Aries Plasticas Eduardo Sivori, Buenos Aires, Argentina
'Adrift', OCAT Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
2015
'A Room With A View': Her Hong Kong-Stories Through the Lens of Six Female Artists', Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, CVA Building, HKBU, Hong Kong
'Imagine There's No Country, Above Us Only Our Cities', Para Site, Hong Kong
The 6th Dali International Photography Festival, Dali, China
'Three Shadows Photography Award Exhibition', Asia Photography And Image Center,
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Echigo-Tsumari Region, Niigata, Japan
The 7th TSPA Three Shadows Photography Award Exhibition ,
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
100 Self-Portraits of Hongkongese', S201, Staunton, PMQ, Hong Kong
Xitek 2014 New Foto Award Exhibition, Beijing World Art Museum, Beijing, China
2013
The 9th Lianzhou International Photo Festival -'Farewell to Experience',
(Theme Exhibition section) 'Yuen Yeung -A Contemporary Photography Exhibition by Seven Hong Kong Artists', Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
'Dozen of Photography Works', Lumenvisum, Hong Kong
2012
'About us,About Life & About the City', AO Vertical Art Space, Asia One, Hong Kong
'G.O.L.D.', Voxfire Gallery, Hong Kong,
2011
'Heat -an Exploration of Sex in Relationships', Voxfire Gallery, Hong Kong
2008
'SaLon Winter 2008 Show', SaLon Contemporary, London, U.K.
2007
'115th Autumn Exhibition', Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, U.K.
'Small Pictures Exhibition', Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury, U.K.
'Ritual Abuse', 68 Boleyn Road, Dalston, London, U.K.
'Design UK 2007 Exhibition', Guangzhou; Shanghai; Beijing; Chengdu;
organized by Education UK, British Council, China
'Ecosystems', Red Gate Gallery, London, U.K.
2006
'Powderlux', Red Gate Gallery, London, U.K.
_______________________________________________________
Awards & Grants:
2018-2020
Visual Arts Scholarship, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A
2018-2020
Visual Arts Fellowship, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A
2015
Finalist, The 7th TSPA Three Shadows Photography Award, Beijing, China
Finalist, Xitek 2014 New Photo Award, Beijing, China
2007
First Prize, Small Pictures Exhibition, Salisbury Arts Centre, U.K.
The Warden’s Art Prize, Goldsmiths College, U.K.
_______________________________________________________
Selected Publications:
2017
Golden Records GR-02092017, Fotogalleriet, Oslo, Norway
The Unappropriated Recipes, Para Site, Hong Kong
2015
Detachment: The 2015 Three Shadows Photography Award, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
2014
Staging Encounters- 10 Years of Contemporary Photography in China: 2014 Lianzhoufoto, Lianzhou International Photo Festival, China
2013
Farewell to Experience: 2013 Lianzhoufoto, Lianzhou International Photo Festival, China
2012
About Us, About Life & About the City, Asia One Publishing Hong Kong
_______________________________________________________
Collections:
M+, Hong Kong
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, U.S.A.
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
The Warden’s Collection, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K.
Private collections
_______________________________________________________
(born in Hong Kong) currently lives and works in New York City. My work utilizes manipulated image, video, drawing and object exploring the multilateral constructions of identity in relation to race, gender, nationality and how we perceive ‘reality’ around us. I attempt to investigate how history, fiction, memory and virtuality collided in the process of identity formation through elements contained in personal and historical archives, cinematic imagery, popular culture, digital media and latest consumer technologies.
Education:
MFA Visual Arts, Columbia University, New York, 2020
BA (Hons) Fine Art (Studio Practice and Contemporary Critical Studies),
Goldsmiths, University of London, 2007
_______________________________________________________
Solo Exhibitions:
2018
“The Memories of Tomorrow”, Lumenvisum, Hong Kong
2017
(Dual-solo) “Photo Booth”, Para Site, 2017 Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2014
'Staging Encounters: 10 Years of Contemporary Photography in China', (International section -Solo exhibition), Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
Group Exhibitions:
2019
A History of Photography: Selections from the Museum’s Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, U.S.A.
ISCP Benefit Auction Exhibition, Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
Very Natural Actions (presented by Arts Collective Ltd , co-curated by Andre Chan and Jing Chong), Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong
INSIGHTS Exhibition, PHOTOFAIRS | Shanghai 2019 (Curated by Claire Shea, Para Site Deputy Director), Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
FotoFest/ INTERSECT, SILVER STREET STUDIOS, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
On the Map (Co-curated by Bianca Bosker and Elizabeth Denny), Denny Dimin Gallery Hong Kong
Aesthetically Functional Only, 1675 Broadway, New York, U.S.A.
Courses of Action (Curated by Carlos Quijon, Jr.) , Goethe-Institut, Hong Kong
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Lenfest Center for the Arts, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A.
2018
Time/Space: Brief as Photo- Dialogue between Joseph Fung and his Contemporaries,
Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
Lianzhou International Photo Festival, Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival, Three Shadows Xiamen Photography Art Centre, Xiamen, China
Emerging Curators Project 2018, "A Tree Fell in the Forest, and No One's There",
Power Station of Art (PSA), Shanghai, China
Kuandu Biennale, "Seven Questions for Asia", Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts, Taiwan
"Crush", Para Site, Hong Kong
“Follow Me”, OCT Contemporary Art Terminal (OCAT Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
“Relativity Hypothesis”, J: Gallery, Shanghai, China
2017
"Follow Me"- New Narratives in Contemporary Photography, China-Switzerland, OCAT Shanghai, Shanghai, China
2016
“->”, Blindspot Gallery, Hong Kong
“Sojourn with Stranger”, Mur Nomade, Hong Kong
Les Photaumnales– "Love Hong Kong: La photographie hongkongaise (1950-2015)", Le Quadrilatère, Beauvais, France
Denmark Photo Biennale -"Cities and Memory", Brandts Museum, Odense, Denmark
Hong Kong International Photo Festival - “Voices: Cross Vision on French and Hong Kong Photography”, Comix Home Base, Hong Kong
Singapore International Photo Festival- "A Room with a View", Earl Lu Gallery, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Singapore
Argentina International Photo Festival (Encuentros Abiertos- Festival de la Luz), “Yuen Yeung”, Museo de Aries Plasticas Eduardo Sivori, Buenos Aires, Argentina
'Adrift', OCAT Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
2015
'A Room With A View': Her Hong Kong-Stories Through the Lens of Six Female Artists', Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery, CVA Building, HKBU, Hong Kong
'Imagine There's No Country, Above Us Only Our Cities', Para Site, Hong Kong
The 6th Dali International Photography Festival, Dali, China
'Three Shadows Photography Award Exhibition', Asia Photography And Image Center,
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Echigo-Tsumari Region, Niigata, Japan
The 7th TSPA Three Shadows Photography Award Exhibition ,
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
100 Self-Portraits of Hongkongese', S201, Staunton, PMQ, Hong Kong
Xitek 2014 New Foto Award Exhibition, Beijing World Art Museum, Beijing, China
2013
The 9th Lianzhou International Photo Festival -'Farewell to Experience',
(Theme Exhibition section) 'Yuen Yeung -A Contemporary Photography Exhibition by Seven Hong Kong Artists', Lianzhou, Guangdong, China
'Dozen of Photography Works', Lumenvisum, Hong Kong
2012
'About us,About Life & About the City', AO Vertical Art Space, Asia One, Hong Kong
'G.O.L.D.', Voxfire Gallery, Hong Kong,
2011
'Heat -an Exploration of Sex in Relationships', Voxfire Gallery, Hong Kong
2008
'SaLon Winter 2008 Show', SaLon Contemporary, London, U.K.
2007
'115th Autumn Exhibition', Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, U.K.
'Small Pictures Exhibition', Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury, U.K.
'Ritual Abuse', 68 Boleyn Road, Dalston, London, U.K.
'Design UK 2007 Exhibition', Guangzhou; Shanghai; Beijing; Chengdu;
organized by Education UK, British Council, China
'Ecosystems', Red Gate Gallery, London, U.K.
2006
'Powderlux', Red Gate Gallery, London, U.K.
_______________________________________________________
Awards & Grants:
2018-2020
Visual Arts Scholarship, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A
2018-2020
Visual Arts Fellowship, Columbia University, New York, U.S.A
2015
Finalist, The 7th TSPA Three Shadows Photography Award, Beijing, China
Finalist, Xitek 2014 New Photo Award, Beijing, China
2007
First Prize, Small Pictures Exhibition, Salisbury Arts Centre, U.K.
The Warden’s Art Prize, Goldsmiths College, U.K.
_______________________________________________________
Selected Publications:
2017
Golden Records GR-02092017, Fotogalleriet, Oslo, Norway
The Unappropriated Recipes, Para Site, Hong Kong
2015
Detachment: The 2015 Three Shadows Photography Award, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
2014
Staging Encounters- 10 Years of Contemporary Photography in China: 2014 Lianzhoufoto, Lianzhou International Photo Festival, China
2013
Farewell to Experience: 2013 Lianzhoufoto, Lianzhou International Photo Festival, China
2012
About Us, About Life & About the City, Asia One Publishing Hong Kong
_______________________________________________________
Collections:
M+, Hong Kong
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, U.S.A.
Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, China
The Warden’s Collection, Goldsmiths, University of London, U.K.
Private collections
_______________________________________________________