Washi no yume - Dreams of Japanese paper
Below works were inspired by Japanese washi (paper) which is traditionally made from mulberry fibres and is known for its strength and soft translucency. Greatly intrigue by this fibre and Japanese craftsmanship which is dedicated to artistic integrity and the preservation of traditional methods, Lam sought to gain further knowledge of washi directly from Japan. In the fall of 2024, she will travel to the Niigata prefecture of Japan, which is a region known as "snow country" and home to a papermaking tradition dating back more than 300 years. Lam will partake in an intensive washi making program that will cover the entire washi making practice including harvesting and processing of mulberry.
In Conversation: Part II 2024
This quadriptych, Never Ending Conversations is the first work in a new series. The series explores themes of connections and balance in relationships, particularly those between human and non-human life forms we share this planet with.
This work was developed from Lam's recent intensive studies in the hand papermaking at the Paperhouse Studio in Toronto. The training and time at the studio was supported by a grant from Canada Art Council for professional development. The papers in this series are all handmade by the artist.
This work debuted at the Artist Project in Toronto 11-14 April, 2024.
In Conversation: Part I 2024
Lam developed a number of these works in pairs to explore balance in relationships. Her explorations were carried out by creating movement through mark making with stitching, along with paper layering to highlight the textural qualities of handmade papers. She used a combination of sourced handmade papers from Nepal (Lokta), Japan (Washi) and papers she made.
These works debuted at the Artist Project in Toronto 11-14 April, 2024.
Touch, 2023
In this series, Lam continued her abstract landscape explorations with handmade papers and stitching. Working with the Paperhouse Studio in Toronto, she learned to make paper by hand. Many of the papers below with coloured pulps and inclusions were handmade by the artist. These works highlight the textural qualities of paper.
Ink Findings, 2023
Inspired by the history of paper and traditional Chinese ink landscapes, Lam explored ink as a medium. She combined the inks with various handmade papers in this series, using both self made and sourced handmade papers from Asia.