Gallerist Pearl Lam on her cultural influences
An expert in Asian art, design and the international contemporary-art market, Pearl Lam is driven by her mission to foster cultural exchange between East Asia and the rest of the world. She opened Pearl Lam Galleries in 2005 and, in 2008, established the China Art Foundation, dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Chinese culture and traditions. The trust collaborates with partners such as the BBC and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lam recently launched The Pearl Lam Podcast, featuring raw conversations with emerging voices who, like her, have shown an unwavering determination to challenge the status quo. @pearllamgalleries; pearllam.com
I’m currently listening to Talk Art by Russell Tovey and Robert Diament. Their conversations with leading art-world figures are always inspiring.
I’m currently reading Humanise by Thomas Heatherwick. It’s a fantastic book about how to make cities more interesting. It’s written with such passion, and it changes the way you see the world around you.
My favourite film is Twilight’s Kiss by Ray Yeung. It’s about a hidden relationship between two men in Hong Kong. I found it very moving and an important commentary on finding love and joy late in life.
I recently saw Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos, a beautifully shot film with Emma Stone that comments on social constraints and personal freedom.
My best-loved quote is ‘Be a leader, not, a follower.’
One of my most memorable paintings is by Shanghainese artist Sun Liang. I spent my first month’s salary to buy one of them, they were the first Chinese painting I ever collected!
My favourite restaurant is La Scène in Paris, run by chef Stéphanie Le Quellec. Delicious food in a stunning setting. I recently spoke to Stéphanie about her impressive career and her experiences in the industry in an episode of my podcast.
I collect bracelets. I call myself the bracelet queen! I always try to bring at least one home from my travels.
My favourite place in the world is Hong Kong – it’s my home, so I never get bored of its food, places and culture! It’s full of life and fantastic people, and one of my gallery spaces is there, too.
This year, I’m looking forward to travelling to more countries in Africa. Last year I had the opportunity to visit Lagos and meet some of the amazing artists who live and work there, as well as explore the city’s food and fashion scenes. I can’t wait to go back.
If I could have designed one thing it would have been interiors: apartments, houses… I don’t want to boast, but I have great taste and am a good interior designer!
