Annie Wan Lai Kuen

Born in Hong Kong
Currently lives and works in Hong Kong

Karin Weber Gallery artist Annie Lai-kuen Wan is a Hong Kong-based contemporary ceramic artist who takes as her subject matter everyday objects and transforms them into beautiful objects injected with meaning.

Annie Lai-kuen Wan, born in Hong Kong, developed an early interest in traditional ceramics. Wan’s signature works include an ancient poem- captured in the dead of night by “borrowing” the characters from common Hong Kong signs (with the assistance of plaster casts). She later transforms these traditional Chinese characters into beautiful wall objects that form an ancient poem. The artist has also captured an entire library of vintage texts by preserving their forms in plaster.

The artists holds a Master of Fine Arts from Chinese University of Hong Kong, a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a Higher Certificate in Studio Ceramics from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in addition to a Diploma of Design.

Education
1999
Master of Fine Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong

1996
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong

1991
Higher Certificate in Studio Ceramics, Hong Kong Polytechnics

1982
Diploma in Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic

Professional Experience
Present
Associate Professor, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University

2015 – 2020
Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University

2009 – 2015
Lecturer, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University

2006 – 2008
Part-time Lecturer, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University

2006 – 2007
Guest Lecturer, Department of Creative Arts and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education

2000 – 2009
Part-time Lecturer, BFA programme jointly presented by the Hong Kong Art School and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT), Higher Diploma in Fine Art programme at the Hong Kong Art School

1999 – 2009
Part-time Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2019
‘Rediscovery’, Giant Year Gallery, Hong Kong

‘Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread’, Hong Kong House, Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale, Japan

2018
‘Zaan Bak Fo’, Cheung Hing Grocery Store, Hong Kong

2013
‘Text · Book,’ 1a Space, Hong Kong

2008
‘Looking for Poetry in Wanchai,’ Stage One Art Space, Hong Kong

2005
‘Moulding World: A Summer in Denmark,’ the Habitus, Hong Kong

2003
‘Moulding World: Annie Wan,’ Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre & Ko Shan Theatre, HK

2001
‘Rediscovery,’ First Institute of Art and Design Gallery, Hong Kong

1999
‘Blue and White,’ Gallery Martini, Hong Kong
‘Longing and Rediscovery,’ Hui Gallery, The Chinese University of HK

1998
‘Ceramic Works by Wan Lai Kuen,’ Hong Kong Cultural Centre

1997
‘Paintings by Annie Wan’ in the Fringe Festival 97, Hong Kong

Selected Group Exhibitions

2019
‘20/20’, Karin Weber Gallery anniversary exhibition, HK
‘Matter’, SA+(Seoul Auction HK), Hong Kong
‘On Earth’, Contemporary Ceramics Festival, JCCAC, HK
‘Natura – the second edition of the International Women Biennial of Art of Macau SAR’, ARTFEM, Macau

2018

‘Claylaboration – Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition’, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong
‘What Has Been, Will Be Lost Until We Find It’, Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong
‘Warum Kunst?’, Museum Ulm & Kunsthalle Weishaupt, Ulm, Germany
‘Presence: A Window Into Chinese Contemporary Art’, St George’s Hall, Liverpool, UK
‘The 3^rd Guangdong Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition’, University City Museum of GAFA (Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts), Guangzhou, China
‘Hanzi Exhibition’, Qube, PMQ Hong Kong
‘2018 Sign And Symbols’, VAC, Hong Kong
‘No Man is an Island’, Ceramic Art Avenue Gallery, Jingdezhen, China

2017
‘Composing Stories with Fragments of Time’, Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong
‘Collecting Moonlight’ performingART project, Oil Street Art Space, Hong Kong
‘Evolving Images – Modern Hong Kong Printmaking’, Sun Museum, Hong Kong
‘What’s In Store’, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester, UK

2016
‘The Eight Climate (What Does Art Do?)’, 11th edition of Gwangju Biennale, South Korea
‘Complexity Consciousness: A Conversation-Exhibition by Annie Wan and So Hing Keung’, Lumenvisum, Hong Kong
Curator, ‘Between the Tastes’, Unit Gallery, Hong Kong
‘In the Moment: Works by Annie Wan Lai-kuen and Zhu Jingyi’, Art Central, Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong
‘Lady Dior As Seen By’, Langen Foundation, Düsseldorf, German
China (Foshan) Shiwan International Ceramic Art Exhibition

2015
Contemporary Asian Ceramics Exchange Exhibition, Museum of China Academy of Art, China
‘Black and White’, Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong
Curator, ‘Ceramics Show by Non-ceramics Artist’, 1a Space, Hong Kong
‘First, then and after’, Gallery Exit, Hong Kong
‘Early White’, 1a Space, Hong Kong
‘The Past is Continuing’, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong
‘ICA Off-Site: Hong Kongese,’ Duddell’s, Hong Kong
‘Mind The Gap’, 1a Space, Hong Kong
’Crush On My City,’ Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong

2014
‘Kochi-Muziris Biennale,’ Kochi, India, supported by Burger Collection
‘Lodge of Tranquility,’ Karin Weber Gallery, Hong Kong
‘Harmonious Society,’ part of Asia Triennial Manchester, United Kingdom
‘The Scarlet Bauhinia in Full Bloom,’ Amelia Johnson Contemporary, Hong Kong

2013
‘Lady Dior As Seen By,’ Pier 4, Hong Kong
‘Hong Kong Contemporary Art Awards 2012,’ Hong Kong Museum of Art
‘I Think It Rains,’ Cattle Depot, Hong Kong
‘All of These Are Made of Clay,’ Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Shigaraki, Japan
‘Asian Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition,’ Kanazawa Ceramic Art Museum, Tokoname, Japan
‘East Asian Four Countries Exchange Exhibition,’ Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan
‘Is/Is Not Kai Tak River a Metaphor,’ 1a Space, Hong Kong

2012
‘Contemporary Ceramics Art Exhibition,’ Ucity Art Museum, GAFA, Guangzhou, China
‘East Asian Four Countries Exchange Exhibition’, New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan
‘Hong Kong Eye’, Saatchi Gallery, London

2011
‘2011 Asian Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition,’ Foshan Ceramics Museum, China
‘UN EARTH: Contemporary Ceramics,’ 2011 Gallery, Singapore and Hong Kong

2007
‘New Aspect of Image / Image of Pottery,’ Gallery Susuki, Kyoto; Gallery Haku, Osaka, Japan
‘10 Years! Exhibition of Ceramics,’ Pottery Workshop, Shanghai, China

2006
‘MEGartSTORE,’ Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong
‘Exhibition of Modern Ceramic Art from Hong Kong and Macao,’ Tap Seac Gallery, Macao
‘XIX eme Biennale Internationale de Céramique Contemporaine de Vallauris,’ Vallauris, France

2005
‘Re Wanchai: Hong Kong International Artists’ Workshop Exhibition,’ Wanchai, Hong Kong

2004
‘Culture & Identity,’ Guldagergård, Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark

2003
‘International Ceramic Biennale,’ Incheon, Korea
‘Yuanyang: Coffee & Tea Vessels,’ Flagstaff House, Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong
‘Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition 2003,’ Hong Kong Museum of Art

2002
Launching Exhibition of ‘Artists in Neighborhood,’ Hong Kong Central Library

2000
‘L’art de Vivre la Difference,’ UNESCO, Paris

1999
‘Philippe Charriol Foundation Art Competition Exhibitions,’ Hong Kong

1996
‘Hong Kong Ceramics 1985-1995’, Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, HK

1994
‘Out of the Fire,’ HK Arts Centre
‘The International Ceramics Festival,’ Tokoname, Japan

1993
‘Tea ware by Hong Kong Potters,’ Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

1992
‘Fletcher Challenge Ceramic Award,’ Auckland, New Zealand

Residency
2005
Re Wanchai: Hong Kong International Artists’ Workshop, Hong Kong

2004
Resident artist at Guldageraard, Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark

2002
Studio Artist at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan

2001
Resident artist at the Watershed Centre for the Ceramic Arts, Maine, USA

1991
Participant of ‘The International Workshop of Ceramic Art in Tokoname,’Japan

Awards/Achievements

2020
AVA Performance Award in Scholarly Work 2019/20, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University

2019
Artist of the Year (Visual Art), Hong Kong Arts Development Council

2018
Selected Artist, Hong Kong House, Echigo-Tsumari Art Field by Hong Kong Art Promotion Office

2016
Selected Artist, Gwangju Biennale, Korea

2011
Guest Artist, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan

2010
Selected Artist, Research Project & Exhibition, Ceramics in China, Hong Kong and Japan

2003
Hong Kong Institute of Education
Grant for Overseas Residency Programme, Hong Kong Arts Development Council
Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition 2003 (Award Winner)

2002
‘Artists in Neighbourhood Scheme II,’ by the Hong Kong Art Promotion Office

2000
Asian Cultural Council Fellowship

1999
Philippe Charriol Foundation Art Competition (Winner-sculpture)

1996

Sir Edwards Youde Memorial Scholarship, Hong Kong

1991

Selected Artist, International Workshop of Ceramic Art in Tokoname, Japan

Collections

Burger Collection, Switzerland

Guldagergård, Denmark

Hong Kong M+ Museum

Habitus, Hong Kong

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Museum of Art

IWCAT, Tokonames, Japan

Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark

New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan

Philippe Charriol Foundation, Hong Kong

Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Japan

SUROYO Ceramic Creative School, Korea

The University of Salford Art Collection, Manchester, UK

Time Capsule Collection, Zurich, Switzerland

Private collection worldwide

Publications

2018
‘Zan Baak Fo’, Kaitak, Centre for Research and Development, HK

2006
‘From the Renaming of American Craft Museum to the Development of Contemporary Hong Kong Ceramics in the Context of Art and Craft’ in Hong Kong Visual Arts Yearbook2005, Department of Fine Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong

‘Nostalgia and Moulding in White Text Vol.2,’ Hong Kong Art School, Hong Kong

2004
‘Moulding World – A Summer in Denmark’ published by Wan Lai-kuen Annie, Hong Kong

1999
‘Longing and Rediscovery: Reflections on Moulding,’ Chinese University of Hong Kong