Artist Lap-See Lam: ‘My work is a way to connect generations’
The Swedish artist’s new installation explores how the culture, motifs and cliches of Chinese restaurants reflect the evolving diaspora – and she’s made it a family affair
For the artist Lap-See Lam, the Chinese restaurant abroad can be anything: a pragmatic business pursued for the sake of economic survival, a magic realist self-kitschified illusion, or a very real place where families gather, childhoods are made and memories are forged. Often it is all these things and more. Lam remembers growing up in her family’s restaurant, Bamboo Garden, in Stockholm.
“It was a typical Ming, Qing dynasty-inspired restaurant,” she says over a video call from her kitchen in Stockholm, sitting behind a large, yellow and blue vintage poster from an art exhibition. There was a jade-green pagoda, she says; textiles embroidered with koi fish patterning; decor made of porcelain. And also: “really comfortable sofas” she laughs. “That’s the best thing with the Chinese restaurant – it’s a family-friendly place, right? You can bring toddlers and they can roam around. Which we did.”
Continue reading...Date: |
-
BBC News - Top stories
'Working for £3 an hour made me feel dirty'
A BBC investigation finds garment workers who explain why they accepted wages as low as £3 an hour.2 hours ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
There Might Be More Than One Way to Make a Planet
Astronomers have found evidence of a process that supports an alternative, more rapid approach to planetary formation, more top down than bottom up.1 hour ago -
Yahoo News - World
Latest Polls Suggest Japan Leadership Race Is a Three-Way Tussle
1 hour ago - Japan -
The Guardian - World
Tinder’s School of Swipe is a solid first step – but online dating safety has a long way to go | Lisa Portolan
The challenge remains to create a comprehensive approach that addresses underlying abuse and discrimination. Tinder’s new consent education program represents the dating app’s latest effort to ...43 minutes ago
More from The Guardian
-
The Guardian - World
Suspect charged as Trump accuses Biden and Harris of incitement
Ryan Wesley Routh charged with gun-related offenses after apparent assassination attempt against former president. Muddled politics and multiple arrests: who is the suspect? US politics live – ...3 hours ago - Joe Biden -
The Guardian - World
Meta bans Russian state media outlets over ‘foreign interference activity’
RT, Rossiya Segodnya and others accused of using deceiving tactics on Meta’s apps to carry out influence operations. Facebook owner Meta said on Monday it was banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya and other ...2 hours ago - Russia -
The Guardian - World
Who will Japan’s next PM be? A policy wonk, ultra-conservative or surfer making the climate fight ‘sexy’
Polls show Shigeru Ishiba, Sanae Takaichi and Shinji Koizumi are best placed to replace PM Fumio Kishida later this month. With just 10 days to go before Japan ’s governing party elects a new ...3 hours ago - Climate -
The Guardian - World
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrested in New York, says music mogul’s attorney
Marc Agnifilo says Combs ‘is not a criminal,’ after arrest in Manhattan on federal charges. Sean “Diddy” Combs has been arrested in Manhattan and faces federal charges, the music mogul’s attorney ...1 hour ago - New York -
The Guardian - World
Israel expands war goals to include return of residents near border with Lebanon
Statement from Benjamin Netanyahu comes after defence minister says the possibility for an agreement with Hezbollah was ‘running out’. See all our Middle East coverage Israel will expand its ...58 minutes ago - Israel