2018 HAS BEEN A BIG YEAR FOR ARTIST REBECCA WING SZE LAM, WHOSE INTIMATE PORTRAITS ARE INSPIRED BY STORIES BOTH PERSONAL AND UNIVERSAL.
How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m a storyteller – at least I see myself as one more so than as an artist. My art generally paints a feeling or an emotion from a distant memory or current. Although I paint other subjects, my passion is painting portraits. Every piece has a little bit of me. Often people tell me they see a little bit of themselves in my art. I guess as humans we are all bound to have experienced the same emotion at some point in our lives.
Where did you learn to paint?
I’m self-taught. I have always loved art, but it was always considered “impractical” growing up in a traditional Asian family. The closest thing I had to attending art school was high school art class. Ironically, my art teacher absolutely hated my work. To this day, I’m still quite traumatised presenting my work in front of an audience and tend to hide behind my work with social media.
What have you been working on this year?
This year has been quite the adventure. What started as painting for “decorating” the home sort of spun out of control. I was fortunate to be part of several art competitions and accepted by a few online art galleries and have been steadily selling pieces online. Since May, I have been interviewed by Arts Culture, featured in Circle Spotlight magazine, appeared in Jimboomba Times, and showcased with Raw Artist Australia. This October, I will be participating in the annual international art catalogue WE CONTEMPORARY as one of the 100 emerging artists featured by MUSA International Art Space. To say the least, 2018 has been a very rewarding year.
Is there any particular message you’re trying to relay through your work?
I want to paint pieces that people will feel speaks to them and touch them on a personal level – pretty or not.
Where can people find your work?
Mainly on my website, although I prefer clients to contact me personally. Bits and pieces are also scattered on my Instagram. I am also part of the Raw Artist team, and will be showcasing with them throughout Australia.
