Man Hong Lam

community - educatie - installatie - sociaal-maatschappelijk - design

Man Hong Lam's art practice encompasses installations, sculptures, and drawings. Lam is constantly seeking magical moments where stories, human emotions, and materiality converge, with attention to technical details. Her goal is to convey a specific emotion or story through objects that provoke interaction between human and object, thereby creating unexpected experiences and emotional awareness.
Additionally, as an art educator, Lam organizes initiatives aimed at promoting integration and connection between art and people from diverse backgrounds.


Night Parade of One Hundred Demons - A textile and conceptual investigation into the characteristics of Japanese ghost stories. In a series of objects, Lam explores the atmosphere and aesthetics of Yokai (Japanese ghost stories).
The tale of … the Judgment Jar - 'THE TALE OF...' is a project in which Lam explores Chinese myths and folktales related to everyday objects. The Judgment Jar is inspired by a tale of rivalry among the three thousand concubines of the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. These women vied for the Emperor's favor, with the ultimate goal of becoming the Empress of the Forbidden City. One of the concubines was so jealous of the Emperor's most beloved concubine that she abducted her and imprisoned her in a narrow storage jar. With the help of the magical ginseng herb, the concubine in the jar was kept alive and tormented for centuries. The design of the Judgment Jar invites users to perform an action related to this story, challenging them to make a moral consideration.
The Wanderers - For this collaborative project, Lam worked together with photographer Ricky Doornbos. The starting point is a 1936 grand tour undertaken by the Japanese Emperor in Hokkaido. It was a large-scale military exercise and Imperial propaganda tour aimed at binding the local people of Hokkaido to the Empire. It also marked the Emperor's last tour with the divine status as Ikegami, or living kami (God). For the project, Lam and Doornbos investigate how both photography and design helped shape a mythologization process strongly connected to traditional Shinto beliefs.
Spirits - The artwork "Spirits" by Lam is inspired by the connection between humanity and the spiritual forces that animate nature and the universe. It poses a fundamental question: How do we interact with a world where everything is alive?
Trophy - It is inherent in human nature to pursue specific goals. Once we achieve one goal, we naturally aim for a higher one, continuing this cycle. The trophy is crafted from golden makeup powder, symbolizing the intertwining of power and beauty. The powder is compacted into the form of a trophy, but the user cannot hold onto it, as it reverts back to powder upon touch.