Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in Oslo, Norway, is presenting a solo exhibition titled "Ombres" featuring Stockholm-based artist Lap-See Lam, the fourth recipient of The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award. The exhibition showcases major works from Lam's career, including two shadow play installations brought together for the first time as a single immersive installation, alongside new glass-blown sculptures created during her residency at CIRVA in Marseille. Lam's work interprets traditional storytelling forms like Cantonese opera and shadow plays to explore the translation and mistranslation of cultural heritage, tracing histories from 18th-century Chinoiserie to Chinese restaurants in modern-day Sweden, reflecting her family's migration from Hong Kong.
The exhibition matters because it represents the largest presentation of Lap-See Lam's work to date and highlights the growing recognition of artists addressing diaspora experiences and cultural heritage in contemporary art. By bringing together major installations and new works, the show underscores the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and the role of institutions like Henie Onstad in supporting award-winning artists. The exhibition also emphasizes collaborative practices, including a bamboo scaffolding installation made with Hong Kong-based sifu Daisy Pak, and will be accompanied by a publication with contributions from curators and critics.