10 Questions with Celine Lam
Celine Lam (b.1999) is a mixed-media artist in Brooklyn. She is an MFA candidate at Hunter College, with a BFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her current practice focuses on the polarities under the context of all matters. She uses marks and abstract images to depict contemporary issues which echo her generation. Lam often works with mixed media paper sculptures and paintings employing calligraphy practice paper. Lam’s work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Shanghai, Mexico, and Hong Kong.
Celine Lam - Portrait
INTERVIEW
Please tell our readers about your journey as an artist. How did you first get interested in art?
I have always been certain that I wanted to become an artist since I was young. My elementary school art teacher taught me Chinese ink painting, and I went to a visual art-focused middle school to study Western art techniques. I then came to the US for high school and got into art school, everything just fell into place.
What led you from RISD to pursuing an MFA at Hunter College? And how did these two institutions help you develop into the artist you are today?
I want to learn from different professors and stay in New York. I like both institutions, RISD's BFA program is more competitive, fast-paced, and technical, whereas Hunter's MFA gives me more freedom, readings, and concept focus. RISD gave me a good foundation and work ethic, which helped me to be more intentional in my work at Hunter. I love the diverse cohorts at Hunter.
Gravity © Celine Lam
Speaking of your practice, what does your creative process look like? Do you begin with a specific idea, or does the work develop intuitively?
I have two practices, one that follows specific motifs and ideas. I will develop these ideas through research and experience. The other practice is more painterly and intuitive, and it develops on its own.
As a mixed-media artist, what challenges and possibilities do you find in combining different materials and techniques?
Archiving my work has been a challenge. Because I use fragile paper with oil and other more acidic mediums. It is, in general, difficult to preserve the paper for a long period of time. I sometimes use the acrylic medium to seal the paper and ink, but oftentimes, my work just requires attentive handling.
Your work explores polarities within the context of all matters. Can you expand on what this means for you and how it manifests in your mixed-media practice?
Polarities exist in every aspect of life and in the universe; however, I often find beauty in the endless possibilities between each pair of polar. The juxtaposed gradient stripes create the highest contrasts on the ends and come together to become one in the middle forming a grey ground. This grey ground is where I find empathy.
Looking Forward from Yesterday Large © Celine Lam
To Poets © Celine Lam
You often work with calligraphy practice paper. What draws you to this material, and how does it influence your work?
As someone who has been practising calligraphy for years, I have a strong relationship with Sumi paper and calligraphy practice paper. The material is inexpensive, and often thrown away after use. I am drawn to the preprinted guidelines on these practice papers. Conceptually, it echoes my thoughts.
Our generation has witnessed rapid technological shifts and global challenges. How do contemporary issues resonate in your art, and what conversations do you hope to spark?
I use RGB elements in my work. As a generation that has been overly satiated by social media and technology, I find numbness in these RGB pixels. I want to emphasize the effects of technological development on our generation in both positive and negative ways.
You have exhibited internationally, from New York to Shanghai, Mexico, and Hong Kong. Have these different cultural contexts influenced your artistic perspective?
Geopsycology has been on my mind and in my work (materials, subjects, etc.) Many of my pieces are abstract landscapes. A city/place holds memories and intrigues specific parts of ourselves.
Onism © Celine Lam
How do you see your practice evolving in the future? Are there particular directions or themes you're eager to explore further?
I want to explore more installation work. Geopsycology and cyber geography are also topics I want to research more.
Lastly, if you could collaborate with any artist, living or past, who would it be and why?
Caofei, I admire the way she thinks about politics. Her piece Whoes Utopia inspires me in many ways. The silent approach and poignant emotions are artistic methods I am attracted to.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
