Lin Mingzhu, famous as international gallerist Pearl Lam has been walking against the current and following the untrodden path all her life. It hence comes as little surprise when she showcases different and unique artists and their works that break the existing trends. With her first exhibition as the owner of Pearl Lam Galleries in Shanghai, the exhibition was on contemporary and abstract art of China. It was an exhibition curated by the authority of Chinese art Gao Ming Lu. The exhibition was unlike any other before because there was very little exchange of knowledge about contemporary Chinese art not only among international viewers but mainland Chinese viewers too. Pearl Lam has always been about using art galleries to change the trend and forge new discussions.
International Gallerist Pearl Lam On Creating Trends
As the authority on Asian contemporary art and design, Pearl Lam (林明珠) is all about following the idea of Steve Jobs.
Once the tech genius stated, ‘Some people say, ‘Give the customers what they want.’ But that’s not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they will want before they do… People don’t know what they want until you show it to them. That’s why I never rely on market research, Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.’
It can be easily said that the international gallerist Pearl Lam (林明珠) has been doing the same. At the 2010 Shanghai Art Exhibition, she set a new trend with the artwork of Zhu Jinshi, where a new trend was set by her that was not present in the art market at that time. Lam successfully showed that an art gallery is a place to discover and showcase new talents, instead of pursuing the market with its existing trends.
Furthermore, according to this powerhouse of China’s art world, in most cases, galleries are a place that is seen for trading, and not promoting artists. However, that needs to change as an international gallerist Pearl Lam has been doing that, where her galleries have become a space for showcasing and prompting new artists, encouraging new dialogue that sets new trends and artistic exchange.
Powerhouse Of China’s Art World Delineating New Boundaries
International gallerist Pearl Lam (林明珠) believes artists have the ability to go beyond boundaries and art does not hold any passports. It is hence the responsibility of art gallerists and curators to ensure that artists get the scope to speak with international audiences with their art.
More than ever, it is the artists who can capture the changing trends of society and give it a voice through their work. For instance, Mr Doodle, the British artist’s work reflects the simple, happy doodles that bring a smile to the viewers. With Generation Z flooded with information and pressed for time, they do not have the proclivity to think about what often conceptual and abstract art represents. Mr. Doodle (Sam Cox) or Lobster artist (Philip Colbert) hence becomes easier to promote than conceptual art at times.
However, it would be an injustice to say that international gallerist Pearl Lam does not promote conceptual and contemporary art anymore. Several displays showcase the political awareness, tendencies, and thoughts of the artist on social views and other issues. However, the audience for such pieces is different. For instance, exhibiting Maggie Hambling as a British LGBT artist in Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 by Pearl Lam Galleries was a huge step forward in forging the conversation of the LGBTQ and its representation in art.
According to international gallerist Pearl Lam (林明珠), Hong Kong galleries need to cross the boundaries with their Hong Kong artist and show their art to mainland China, Asia, and other parts of the world. It is the only way to start the conversation and change the trend in Hong Kong and mainland China.
