Exhibition Dates
14 December, 2012–9 January, 2013
Monday-Saturday, 10am–7pm
Opening reception on Thursday, 13 December, 2012, 6–8pm
Pearl Lam Galleries, 601–605, 6/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
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HONG KONG - The exhibition Back to Basics—the Cross-Fertilisation of Design embraces
China’s past and the re-invention of 5,000 years of traditional arts and crafts, such as
cloisonné, woodwork and porcelain, for the twenty-first century and enriches the meaning of
Design Art. Working with multidisciplinary artists and designers, the Gallery seeks to equalise
art and design by challenging the Western hierarchy of art forms and introducing designers
who work with narratives, rather than strictly “form follows function”.
The Gallery aims to redefine “industrial design” in the context of China’s rapidly evolving
cultural environment. Pearl Lam Design questions the Western hierarchy of art over decorative
art and design, as there is no such hierarchy in Chinese tradition. Since 500 BC, the literati
philosophy has been to place equal importance on all three disciplines. While Western design
has been evolving with technological advances, in China “hands” are more prevalent due to
low labour costs. Chinese contemporary design should not be limited by Western perceptions
of industrial design because works are handmade.
Pearl Lam has been breaking boundaries in the field of art and design since 1993 when she
began organising pop-up exhibitions across the city. Now, Pearl Lam Design continues its
mission of integrating design and art by challenging Western perceptions of industrial design.
Pearl Lam Design’s stand was lauded as one of Art Info’s Top 10 Booths at the Pavilion of Art
and Design London (October 2012), while Pearl Lam has recently been named a ‘Design
Power’ in Art+Auction’s Power 100 list (December 2012). The Gallery was the first Asian
gallery to participate in Design Miami since the fair’s 2005 inception, and is known for
innovative designer collaborations, which cross traditional limits of art and design.
Artists
Born in 1951, celebrated French designer André Dubreuil introduced Pearl Lam to decorative
art. The first time she saw enameling was at his workshop in the French countryside, and he
continues to be a powerful influence on Pearl Lam Design. His works are inspired by the
elaborate traditions and techniques of Chinese craftsmanship, which he has explored during
his frequent visits to China.
Born in 1980 in Shanghai, Pearl Lam’s protégé Danful Yang began designing with the collective
XYZ Design. She reinvents traditional Chinese arts and craft technique in modern Western
materials to create playful and visually dynamic works. Her chair from her Fake series is in the
Montreal Museum of Art collection.
About Pearl Lam Design
Pearl Lam Design has been persistently advocating design as an art form in China and
internationally. Pearl Lam has funded an artist-in-residence programme for artists and
designers across the globe. The Gallery shows works by established and emerging
international designers including André Dubreuil, Maarten Baas, Mattia Bonetti, and Studio
Makkink & Bey, who are invited to explore 5,000 years of history by creating new works that
reflect their perceptions of China. Pearl Lam Design will open a new gallery space in Shanghai
in 2013.
Pearl Lam Design works with Maarten Baas, Mattia Bonetti, Patrice Butler, André Dubreuil,
Studio Makkink & Bey, Martin Szekely, Peter Ting, WOKmedia, Philip Michael Wolfson, XYZ
Design, and Danful Yang.
Pearl Lam Galleries Hong Kong
Pearl Lam Galleries, Asia’s most dynamic art gallery dedicated to Chinese and international
contemporary art and design, holds a 340sqm gallery located on the 6th floor of the historic
Grade II listed Pedder Building, alongside Gagosian, Ben Brown and Hanart TZ, at the heart of
Hong Kong’s growing contemporary art scene.
The Hong Kong gallery programme features both fine art and design exhibitions to complement
the existing programs of the Shanghai galleries. It will continue to support young emerging
artists such as Tsang Kin-Wah. The gallery will also bring solo shows by major international
artists and designers to Hong Kong including Jenny Holzer and Yinka Shonibare in 2013.
Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong will further build the Galleries’ long-standing ethos for
presenting an exhibition program of the very highest quality, collaborating with emerging and
established artists and renowned curators, and promoting cross-cultural and multidisciplinary
art from both Asia and the West.
Press Enquiries
Veronique Geiger / Pearl Lam Design
veronique@pearllamdesign.com / +8621 6323 1989
Billy Tam and Jade Ouk / Sutton PR Asia
billy@suttonprasia.com / jade@suttonprasia.com / +852 2528 0792
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