In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, award-winning film director, Ray Yeung, discusses his career with long-time friend, Pearl Lam. Ray Yeung is a distinguished screenwriter and independent film director renowned for his poignant exploration of gay narratives. With a career marked by a profound dedication to telling authentic stories, Yeung has become a luminary in the realm of cinema. In this episode, Pearl Lam learns about Ray Yeung’s winning of the prestigious Teddy Award for Best LGBTQ-themed Feature Film. Ray Yeung’s new Hong Kong drama film, ‘All Shall Be Well’, was recently officially released on May 1st. The pair also discuss Ray Yeung’s position of Chairman at the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, the longest running LGBT film festival in Asia.

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, John Lim shares his reflections on Singaporean culture and the role of plants in influencing his unexpected career change. John Lim is the founder of This Humid House, a botanical design studio founded in Singapore that is committed to developing a language expressed through plants and flowers. The studio has shaken up the floristry industry in Singapore with its non-conformist work.This Humid House, has made a name for itself with designs created for luxury brands such as Kenzo, Cartier, Franck Muller and many others. Pearl and John delve into the connection between floristry design and contemporary art whilst also dissecting cultural influences, differences and similarities.

Élise Gonnet-Pon is the Managing Director France - Europe of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. Élise has been with Van Cleef & Arpels for over 20 years and has overseen the development of high-jewelry collections. Following this, Élise moved over to education. L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts was established in 2012 in the heart of Paris with a commitment to inclusivity and a passion for the world of jewelry. In this episode, Élise Gonnet-Pon sits down with Pearl Lam to shed light on the institution's visionary plans for the future. With a steadfast commitment to preserving the legacy of an ancient craft, they discuss how L’ÉCOLE endeavours to keep the flame of tradition alive while embracing innovation and inclusivity. Through their conversation, the enduring allure of jewelry craftsmanship emerges as a timeless pursuit accessible to all who seek its enchanting embrace.

Suhair Khan is a creative leader and entrepreneur with a background in culture and technology. In 2021, Suhair founded Open-Ended Design, a platform that serves as a creative incubator and research lab for emerging tech and AI. Khan's belief in the positive impact of the intersection between technology and culture drives her mission to expand the idea of technology and AI as a hopeful force in the world. Suhair Khan has a diverse range of roles, including chair of the board of trustees of dance choreographer Studio Wayne McGregor, and is on the advisory committees to the Design Museum, British Library, Sadler’s Wells, London Design Biennale and the UK’s Museum of the Year Prize. In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Suhair Khan shares her thoughts on artificial intelligence and the positive influence that it is having on art, creativity and education. For Suhair, the inception of modern AI has changed what it means to be human. Suhair and Pearl Lam also discuss how AI can be used in relation to education and environmental sustainability. Built off the back of extraction, industrialisation and manufacturing, can the technology industry really benefit the planet in the future?

In this episode host Pearl Lam sits down with acclaimed British artist Maggi Hambling for a revealing discussion about Maggi’s life and career ahead of the launch of Maggi Hambling: The Night, a solo exhibition by Maggi Hambling at Pearl Lam Galleries, Printing House, 6 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, from 26 March to 16 May 2024. The exhibition also coincides with Art Basel Hong Kong 2024, where Pearl Lam Galleries will also be exhibiting Maggi’s work. Maggi Hambling occupies a unique position as an artist who has consistently embraced a spirit of rebelliousness throughout her career, making her one of the most celebrated female artists in the British art scene. Joining Pearl Lam and Maggi Hambling is Louisa Buck, a British art critic and art journalist who has made significant contributions as an author and co-author of books focusing on the intricate workings of the contemporary art market. Together they delve into topics including Maggi and Louisa’s joint stint on 1980s gameshow Gallery, and Maggi’s exploration of the seduction and intimacy. Maggi shares insightful new stories and anecdotes from throughout her life and career from childhood to the present day; describes how the night time has been an enduring subject, having first painted the night sky from her bedroom window at age fourteen. Rooted in her own lived experiences, Hambling’s work remains a reflection of and draws inspiration from people, places, and her identity as a pioneering artist with a queer perspective. Viewing painting as an intimate and physical experience, Hambling believes that regardless of the time dedicated to a painting, it must culminate in a single moment—akin to the profound physicality of love. Learn more about ‘Maggi Hambling: The Night’ at: https://www.pearllam.com/exhibition/the-night-a-solo-exhibition-by-maggi-hambling/

Through her 'Judith Benhamou Reports' https://judithbenhamouhuet.com/ esteemed journalist Judith Benhamou has access to the most influential professionals in the art world, presenting interviews with artists, both recognized and up and coming, and offering an insider perspective on fairs and exhibition openings, exclusive videos, and unconventional visits to sites of artistic creation across the globe. In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Judith Benhamou shares her reflections on the essence of French identity in the year 2024. For Benhamou, the art of being French transcends mere nationality: it embodies an openness of mind and a dedication to cultural enrichment without being "shallow". Judith Benhamou is a seasoned journalist, independent curator and author, whose career is a testament to her deep engagement with the artistic community. Benhamou’s approach is characterised by directness and an uncensored perspective, held together with passion and intellectual curiosity. Her longstanding tenure as a columnist for Les Echos, a leading French economic newspaper, has further cemented her reputation. In the full episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam and Judith Benhamou discuss how French culture conquered the world. They also explore topics including the Americanisation of French culture, and 'The Emily in Paris Effect'.

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast Maaike Doyer tells Pearl Lam why she believes women need the courage to invest and offers a compelling perspective regarding women in the venture capital and entrepreneurial landscape. Maaike Doyer is the founder of Epic Engels, the largest female-only angel investor network in the Asia Pacific region. Rejecting traditional feminist labels, she views women as change-makers rather than victims in need of special treatment. With a rich multicultural background and experiences spanning the US, Singapore and the Netherlands, Maaike is dedicated to using her expertise to make change across the globe. Maaike is also the creator of the acclaimed "Business Model Canvas" tool and is also deeply committed to academia and design.  She is a Professor at Singapore Management University and is a Board Member of Design Singapore. During this enlightening conversation Pearl and Maaike delve into the complexities of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the limitless potential of women in the global business landscape. With insights drawn from Maaike's pioneering work and unwavering commitment, this episode is a thought-provoking exploration of leadership and innovation.

On this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, guest, Olukemi Lijadu delivers an articulate take on the dismissal of African philosophy within Western academia. Being born in Nigeria and educated in both the UK and US, Olukemi has a multicultural background that reflects her broad range of interests and talents.Olukemi, also known as "Kem Kem,” is a is a multi-disciplinary artist, DJ and philosopher. Her work particularly focuses on the power of cinema, which she uses to create sonic journeys to draw attention to different cultures and moments in time. Olukemi has been featured for her artistic projects across various platforms and has created a multi-channel film installation titled "Guardian Angel."Her cinematic work explores personal experiences and the intricate network of relationships within African anthropology and society. Themes that Olukemi is particularly interested in often relate to the body as an art form and draw attention to Black womanhood. “Kem Kem” is also known for her popular live performances and DJ sets that create immersive soundscapes.Viewers can expect an insightful and dynamic conversation as Pearl Lam and Olukemi Lijadu discuss her unconventional artistic career. The pair discuss African philosophy and the different ways in which is interpreted within the context of a Western world.

Originally from Pakistan, Zahra Khan was just a young girl when she started baking. Finding refuge in creativity, she pushed back against the pressures and expectations within her culture to follow a traditional career. Instead, she followed her own path and combined her love for baking and art and opened one of London’s most Instagram-able' eateries ‘Feya Café: https://www.feya.co.uk/In this episode Pearl Lam and Zahra chat about the challenges of becoming a successful entrepreneurial chef in a male dominated industry and why Zhara is determined empower young women and reduce gender disparity.

Renowned celebrity hairstylist Kim Robinson takes centre stage in this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast and sheds a unique perspective on what he believes makes a woman beautiful. As the visionary who has had his hands on the hair of some of the world’s most incredible women including Kate Moss, Anita Mui, and the late Princess Diana; Kim Robinson opens up about his extraordinary journey from the farmlands of Western Australia to the dazzling lights of Hong Kong. Having revolutionised the perception of hairdressing in Hong Kong and Asia, Kim Robinson has become an icon in his own right. Pearl Lam and Kim delve into the fascinating aspects of his career, spanning over 50 years. The conversation unveils the secrets behind Robinson's success, sharing anecdotes of his encounters with global celebrities and shedding light on what it takes to become one of the world's most sought-after and expensive hair stylists. Robinson recently made a significant decision to close the doors of his legendary salon in Hong Kong, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career. Despite bidding farewell to the world of hairdressing, Robinson remains committed to his passion for enhancing beauty and unveils his plans to transition from a pair of scissors to a paintbrush. Viewers can expect an uplifting and insightful conversation as Kim Robinson shares his best-kept beauty secrets, reflects on memorable encounters with Princess Diana, and unveils the motivations behind his bold career move.

Sydney Picasso is a writer of modern and contemporary art, archaeology, style and is also the daughter-in-law of the famed artist, Pablo Picasso. In this latest episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl and Sydney discuss the legacy of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential and celebrated artists of the 20th century. Together they explore Pablo Picasso’s long and prolific career and how his style, techniques and artistic expression have shaped modern art. Pablo Picasso’s constant experimentation and innovation across painting, sculpture and ceramics transformed both the creation and meaning of art in profound ways. It was, however, his passion for drawing and writing that served as the foundation of much of his work. As an external examination board member at The Royal Drawing School in London, Sydney is passionate about the practice of drawing as a foundation for all artists, and says that the only way to understand Picasso is to look at his drawings. Picasso may stand as one of the most significant figures in the history of art, but 50 years after his death, the artist’s reputation poses a challenge for those who manage his estate. During the episode Pearl and Sydney discuss the role women played in his work and the impact of this has had on his legacy in a post-MeToo world. This episode is a very personal exploration of Pablo Picasso, offering the audience a new way in which to view his influence and contribution to the art world.

Sam Cox, best known as Mr Doodle, has turned his passion into a lifestyle. As one of the world’s most successful contemporary artists with almost 3 million followers on Instagram, his unique artistic vision has captivated audiences of all ages, transporting them into a world of intricate patterns. Inspired by childhood cartoons and video games, his love for drawing began at the age of 3 when he would replicate the colourful images that jumped out at him through the TV screen. At 15 he cemented his craft and became a self-proclaimed ‘obsessive compulsive doodler’. Mixing characters with objects and patterns he describes his work as Graffiti Spaghetti - a series of interlocking patterns, and surreal narratives that often chronicle the adventures of Mr Doodle in “Doodle Land.” In this latest episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Sam talks about the launch of ‘Mr Doodle In Space’ - his solo exhibition at Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong where he invites the audience to join Mr and Mrs Doodle as they battle Dr Scribble in an epic showdown to restore peace to Doodle Land. During the episode Sam and Pearl Lam also discuss how he made his way from a small rural town in England to reaching global recognition, why he just wants to spread happiness and his ultimate dream of doodling the entire world. This episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast is a celebration and exploration of the incredible and transformative power of art and doodling as a respected art form.

'Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World' by Thomas Heatherwick is available to buying in all good bookstores: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/312740/humanise-by-heatherwick-thomas/9780241389799Do you ever stop to think about how a particular building or objects makes you feel? Few of us do, yet every single day we inhabit multiple places; streets, buildings, offices, homes and public transport that Thomas Heatherwick says are having devastating consequences on our lives.Thomas Heatherwick is one of the world's leading designers and one of Britain’s greatest creative talents. Responsible for some of the world's most iconic buildings and spaces, he was once described by the late Sir Terence Conran as "the Leonardo da Vinci of our times".Thomas Heatherwick is unusually unapologetic in his thoughts and his actions and has never shied away from controversy – criticism he welcomes. Growing up in a bohemian family, his childhood experiences are evident throughout his work and his studio, which has won a global reputation for seamlessly merging engineering with design and architecture.In the latest episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Thomas Heatherwick and Pearl Lam discuss ‘Humanise’, in which he calls on the design world to rid our cities from an “epidemic of boringness” that’s playing havoc with our physical and mental wellbeing. The solution Heatherwick believes is not to be found in today’s architects, but through a collaborative lens of emotion that includes the wider creative talent that the art world can offer.During the episode Pearl Lam and Thomas Heatherwick debate, discuss and at times disagree on the role that art has in the places that we all occupy every day and argues that artwork in the public realm is often a cheap compensation for constructing characterless and inhumane buildings.ABOUT THOMAS HEATHERWICKThomas Heatherwick brings together design, architecture and urban planning to create soulful and interesting places that spark emotion and celebrate complexity. Thomas Heatherwick leads Heatherwick Studio, where he collaborates with a team of 200 architects, designers and makers to create buildings, spaces, master plans, objects and infrastructure. The studio focuses on large-scale projects in cities all over the world, prioritising those with the greatest positive social impact and the smallest possible climate shadow.Learn more about Thomas Heatherwick at https://www.heatherwick.com/ABOUT PEARL LAMPearl Lam is a gallerist, patron and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and who is at the forefront of reimagining China’s cultural place in the world. Pearl Lam is a leading authority on Asian art, design and the global contemporary art market with a network spanning China, UK and USA.In 2005, Pearl Lam founded Pearl Lam Galleries and has since been a driving force within Asia’s contemporary art scene, with spaces in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The gallery is globally recognized for its intellectual and cultural ambition which re-evaluates perceptions of cultural practice in China.Learn more about Pearl Lam at: https://www.pearllam.com/pearl-lam/

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, gallerist Pearl Lam and renowned French chef Stéphanie Le Quellec discuss their passion for fine dining, culinary experimentation, female entrepreneurship and the art of creation. Stéphanie Le Quellec was awarded two Michelin stars fat her Paris restaurant la Scène in 2020. She was also the winner of French television show, Top Chef, in 2011. In this episode, Stéphanie talks about what it takes to become one of the world’s best chefs, and why it is important that she closes her Paris restaurant at the weekend to ensure that her staff have a healthy work life balance - despite having a 3 month waiting list for reservations.ABOUT STÉPHANIE LE QUELLEC Stéphanie Le Quellec studied at the Albert-de-Mun hotel school in Paris, before studying under 3-star Michelin star chef Philippe Legendre. She continued her illustrious career as a sous-chef to Michelin starred chef, Éric Briffard, before winning the French television show, Top Chef, in 2011. Stéphanie opened her Paris restaurant La Scène in 2019.ABOUT PEARL LAMPearl Lam is a gallerist, patron and entrepreneur and a leading authority on Asian art, design and the global contemporary art market. In 2005, Pearl Lam founded Pearl Lam Galleries and has since been a driving force within Asia’s contemporary art scene, with spaces in Hong Kong and Shanghai. REFERENCES AND URLSLa Scène Official Website: https://www.la-scene.paris/Pearl Lam Official Website: https://www.pearllam.com/pearl-lam/Pearl Lam Twitter: https://twitter.com/pearlthetornado Pearl Lam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/officialpearllam/ Pearl Lam Instagram: https://instagram.com/pearltheworld/ Pearl Lam Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PearlLamPublicPage/ Pearl Lam Podcast Companion Blog: https://medium.com/@pearl-lam/pearl-lam-a-doyenne-of-contemporary-art-49259b60766Pearl Lam Forbes Business Council: https://councils.forbes.com/u/124441d0-bfc6-4f3a-8a1d-c6271949fe03

Alayo Akingube is an art historian and founder of the hugely successful Instagram page @ablackhistoryofart which highlights overlooked Black artists, sitters, curators and thinkers from art history. In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam sits down with Alayo to explore themes such as gender, racism, feminism and everything in between. Together they share their thoughts and discuss topics such as: Is there such a thing as black art? Does elitism still exist in the art world? This episode is an open, honest and at times deeply personal conversation about what it means to be a black artist in 2023. Follow A Black History Of Art on Instagram.Pearl Lam can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.About Pearl LamPearl Lam is a gallerist, patron and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and who is at the forefront of reimagining China’s cultural place in the world. Pearl Lam is a leading authority on Asian art, design and the global contemporary art market with a network spanning China, UK and USA.In 2005, Pearl Lam founded Pearl Lam Galleries and has since been a driving force within Asia’s contemporary art scene, with spaces in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The gallery is globally recognized for its intellectual and cultural ambition which re-evaluates perceptions of cultural practice in China.Pearl Lam’s long-term commitment to art and design is rooted in her mission to develop and promote cultural exchange between East Asia and the world, while also presenting Asia’s contributions to both traditions to a global audience. In 2008, Pearl Lam founded the China Art Foundation, a trust that is dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Chinese culture and traditions globally.Pearl Lam is also a regular expert speaker and a member of Forbes Business Council.

Pearl Lam is a leading authority on Asian contemporary art and design. She has been advising collectors on the intricacies of the international art market for over 20 years, and has become a critical voice in promoting international dialogue and cross-cultural exchange between East and West. But behind the bright purple hair, petite frame and eclectic style in fashion, Pearl Lam is also known as a fierce entrepreneur, a champion of undiscovered talent and, to some, a rebel. But who does Pearl Lam herself think she is? Well, in the first ever episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl answers all of this and more as she sits down for a candid chat with the renowned journalist and former BBC arts correspondent, Rebecca Jones. Pearl Lam can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.Rebecca Jones can be found on Twitter.About Pearl LamPearl Lam is a gallerist, patron and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and who is at the forefront of reimagining China’s cultural place in the world. Pearl Lam is a leading authority on Asian art, design and the global contemporary art market with a network spanning China, UK and USA.In 2005, Pearl Lam founded Pearl Lam Galleries and has since been a driving force within Asia’s contemporary art scene, with spaces in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The gallery is globally recognized for its intellectual and cultural ambition which re-evaluates perceptions of cultural practice in China.Pearl Lam’s long-term commitment to art and design is rooted in her mission to develop and promote cultural exchange between East Asia and the world, while also presenting Asia’s contributions to both traditions to a global audience. In 2008, Pearl Lam founded the China Art Foundation, a trust that is dedicated to showcasing the rich history of Chinese culture and traditions globally.Pearl Lam is also a regular expert speaker and a member of Forbes Business Council.