Interview

How do you usually find inspiration for your artwork?I take my inspiration from actual experiences in my personal life, and seldom from social happenings, politics, or global issues, like environmental protection. I know these feelings may seem trivial, but at the same time I think these ideas can be shared by the viewers once I turn them into paintings.

Few artists in Hong Kong concentrate exclusively on painting. Why do you choose to stick to this medium?I think it’s the medium that makes me feel most comfortable. I like it that I can do it with my own hands, and can finish [a work] all by myself. People do ask me sometimes why I’m only focusing on painting. The thing is, I don’t find it monotonous at all. I’m happy.

The drawing in some of your work is quite girly in style.
That’s true. Recently, I’ve been thinking about that too. [Laughs] Sometimes, the lighter colour tones in my work can create that kind of impression. Looking at it from another perspective, these types of paintings – and not just those by me – regularly manage to give out delicate and intimate feelings.

What do you think about this particular drawing style?It’s not that I can only draw in this simple manner, but that’s the way I draw. [Laughs] If you take a quick glance, you’d think that they’re drawn by little children; but if you look closer, you’ll see that although they give a sense of naivety, they’re obviously drawn by an adult. There’s that special feeling they give out.

Has this drawing style presented any obstacles to your career as an artist?I understand what you’re getting at. It depends on who you’re targeting with your paintings. For me, I haven’t [had a specific audience] in mind. I realise that the more mature viewers may not be as enthusiastic with my works, which may remind them of illustrations or comics. But as long as I’m happy with my paintings, I’m not going to worry about it.

Have you been drawing at home since you moved out of your Fo Tan studio in late 2008?Yes, I draw at home. All  you’re seeing here were drawn at home.

Does that mean you have a very big apartment?My home isn’t big. I can hardly walk when I have to let the larger paintings lie down horizontally. When I draw, I’m also using the ironing board to support the canvas. I’m finding it quite interesting, actually. When in Fo Tan, it felt a bit like I was going to work. I was totally isolated from the world then – even though I’m enough of a hermit [just by] working at home now.

So what’s next for you?I’ll continue to paint, and begin trying out other media, like photography. Another thing is – like you’ve just mentioned – about the very girly expression in my work. I’m thinking about doing some research on this type of artist. It may take the form of a piece of writing, a book, or an exhibition.

區凱琳：爸爸出海去

Time:  03/22/2013 - 10:30 -  04/22/2013 - 19:00

Date: 22/3/2013 - 22/4/2013
Venue: Osage Open
香港觀塘興業街20號聯合興業工業大廈4樓


In Au Hoi Lam's recent exhibition "My father is Over the Ocean", Hong Kong artist Au Hoi Lam presents series of paintings and installations derived from the remembrance of her father. She transformed components of her father's bed into a keepsake of remembrance that maps the coordinates of memories. "My father", a song she adapted from "My Bonnie", is converted into imageries, symbols and sound which linger in the exhibition space - the 'ocean' where 365 days of yearning is embedded in.

甜言密語

This exhibition was held in 2006, named as "甜言密語". The paintings were around the topics of love and emotional expressions, conveying her different perspectives in love. The warm and sweet colors composing in the paintings are likely to lead the audience to go through the artist's dreams and stories. By the presentations of images, stories were told beyond words."Some artworks are telling my opinions towards love, apart from food which has the taste of sweetness, it can be told in the feelings between spaces and layers in my drawings. My works in this exhibition is themed as love, including my wishing, and some past experience. Some ideas are extracted from modern pop songs that I wrote the lyrics on the paintings, because I believe pop songs and lyrics are one kind of collective memories to all of us."

Looking at her artworks, I love her style of using such sweet and warm colors to convey her messages. The paintings are not composed of difficult drawing techniques or subjects, but the simple matters and colors already became the best medium for telling her personal stuff and it could effectively impressed audience.

Au Hoi Lam

AU Hoi Lam is a local painter who graduated from The Chinese University of Hong Kong [M.F.A. (2004) & M.Phil. in Philosophy (2009)]. Her works are labour of love and craftsmanship, infused with her unique sensibilities and passions, and integrating minute details into a unified whole. Perhaps, like life itself, her paintings are best to be savoured and pondered over, instead of being analyzed in a rational manner. Her works are collected by Hong Kong Museum of Art and private collectors. Recent exhibitions included When Words are Sweet: Paintings by Au Hoi Lam (Central Library, Hong Kong 2006), Reversing Horizons: Artist Reflections of the Hong Kong Handover 10th Anniversary (MOCA Shanghai, Shanghai 2007), Definitions of Time: Paintings by Au Hoi lam (Edge Gallery, Hong Kong 2010), Au Hoi Lam Reading Room (Muji Atelier, Hong Kong 2010), Lui Chun Kwong. You Are Here, I am not. (Osage Kwun Tong, Hong Kong 2010) etc.