The Pearl Lam Podcast

In this Mandarin-language episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam speaks with artist Su Xiaobai. The discussion centres on Su’s practice, shaped by material, process and repetition, with a focus on his lacquer works. Reflecting on his development, he considers the interplay between control and chance, and the role of time, discipline and surface in the formation of his paintings. The episode a...

In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam is joined by Harry Lee, founder and chairman of the Hong Kong Choral Foundation, for a discussion on music, education and community-building in Hong Kong. The conversation explores choral music not simply as performance, but as a form of social and educational infrastructure. Lee reflects on the foundation’s efforts to provide students from under...

In this episode, Angelle Siyang-Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong, offers a measured and direct perspective on the realities shaping the art world. Grounded in her experience, she reflects on the differences between Eastern and Western frameworks, where competition is not inherently oppositional, but can function as a form of shared advancement. A passing comment in Hong Kong, describing the cit...

In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam is joined in Shanghai by Hong Kong-based curator David Chan and artist Qiu Anxiong to reflect on the evolving landscape of Chinese contemporary art. The conversation explores questions of visibility, cultural influence and the frameworks that have shaped global perceptions of Chinese contemporary art. Looking back to the early 2000s, when Chinese...

In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam is joined by artist Alimi Adewale and curator Maria Bojan for a conversation on art, authorship and the complexities of the global contemporary landscape. The discussion examines the Western tradition of “art for art’s sake” and the expectation that artists must occupy fixed positions within cultural discourse. Together, they question the role of...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam is joined by art market journalist and author Georgina Adam to examine the evolving dynamics of the global art market. Drawing on historical insight and current developments, the conversation explores structural challenges such as liquidity, high transaction costs, and the art market’s fundamental differences from traditional financial systems. I...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam speaks with Charles Li, author and professor of linguistics, in a conversation shaped by history, culture, and lived experience. Drawing on a transcription rich with significant historical dates and timelines, the discussion traces transformative periods in China’s political and cultural evolution, situating personal narrative within broader hist...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast , Pearl Lam speaks with Dr. Eva Cwynar, an endocrinologist and metabolic specialist whose work focuses on hormones, metabolism, and longevity. Their conversation explores contemporary thinking around anti-aging and the enduring search for a “fountain of youth,” examining how advances in hormonal science, metabolic health, and regenerative medicine are resha...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, cultural influencer Pearl Lam sits with art aficionado, lawyer and art magazine writer Daniel McClean who regularly writes and produces shows in the art world. To Pearl Lam’s delight, this is a man who wears many hats and who has also authored and edited several books while acting as an independent curator with commercial gallery experience. “I see the goo...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, cultural influencer Pearl Lam sits in Slovak-born academic painter Michal Korman’s art studio in Burgundy, France. Candid discussions about delicious French delicacies aside, the conversation with artist Korman paints a sumptuous picture of a man who since childhood began a lifelong career in art. Having thrived as a Parisian painter, Korman brings Pearl L...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast , Pearl Lam meets in London with Anders Petterson, founder and CEO of the art-market research firm ArtTactic. Anders traces his path from investment banking into contemporary art and examines how the market has shifted over the past 25 years, noting that the present moment represents a significant turning point for many galleries. The discussion covers the...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam sits down with Ben Luke, one of the most respected voices in contemporary art criticism and host of A Brush with… and The Week in Art for The Art Newspaper. Drawing from his extensive experience speaking with artists, curators, and cultural leaders, Ben reflects on how art can serve as a bridge across social and political divides. The conversatio...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam sits down with numerologist Romy Jacobson for an insightful conversation about intuition, energy, and the numerical patterns that shape human experience. Romy explains how numbers reveal hidden aspects of personality, behavior, and destiny, offering a lens through which to understand the rhythm and flow of life. Pearl reflects on her own relation...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl speaks with curator and art historian Cleo Roberts-Komireddi about her journey into Indian art and the shifting dynamics of the global art world. Cleo reflects on formative encounters with performance art in India that challenged her perceptions and inspired her lifelong research, leading to her forthcoming book on Indian art history. The discussion...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam sits down in London with Suzi Godson, psychologist, journalist, and author of the long-running advice column Dear Suzi. Their conversation explores themes of emotional well-being, modern relationships, and the challenges of navigating vulnerability in contemporary life. Suzi reflects on how her insights are shaped by both personal experience and...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam sits down the internationally acclaimed author, Kevin Kwan. Kevin’s rise to fame can be attributed to his bestselling book, Crazy Rich Asians. During their discussion, they delve into the intricate dynamics of East–West cultural dialogue and emphasise the significance of telling Asian stories in a global context. They also explore Kevin’s journey...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl travels to Los Angeles to meet British artist Damian Elwes. Renowned for his depictions of the studios of creative figures such as Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, Elwes has built a career marked by both artistic curiosity and historical imagination. After studying at Harvard and an encounter with Keith Haring that inspired him to paint, Elwes debuted...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl sits down with renowned economist Keyu Jin, Professor at the London School of Economics and author of The New China Playbook, for a nuanced conversation about China's evolving global identity. Together, they unpack the layers of misunderstanding between China and the West, the myths surrounding the Chinese economy, and the generational transformation...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl sits down with Alex Han and Ed Lee, the founders of RED FLAGGED, a London-based platform created to support and amplify Queer East and Southeast Asian communities. What began as a response to the lack of visibility and safe spaces for queer Asians in the city has evolved into a vital cultural movement grounded in activism, creativity, and care. Toget...

Rasmus Munk, the visionary chef and co-owner of Alchemist in Copenhagen, sits down with Pearl Lam for a conversation that goes far beyond food. In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Rasmus opens up about his journey from traditional kitchens to creating one of the most radical and immersive dining experiences in the world. At Alchemist, meals unfold across multiple acts, combining theatrical p...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl sits down with her longtime friend William Louey Lai Kuen at his residence in Hong Kong for a wide-ranging and personal conversation. Together, they reflect on William’s life as a third-generation member of one of Hong Kong’s most prominent business families and as a Non-Executive Director of Kowloon Motor Bus, one of the city’s oldest and most iconi...

On this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam engages in an insightful conversation with British writer, curator, and cultural commentator Ekow Eshun. Eshun, renowned for his compelling work on Black identity, futurism, and the politics of representation, shares his reflections on the pivotal role of art in shaping narratives around race, memory, and belonging. Throughout the episode, Eshun...

In this episode of The Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl is joined by her longtime friend, Scott Stover, for an insightful discussion about his remarkable journey from the finance sector to the art world. Scott reflects on his early years in Paris, which significantly influenced his career trajectory, his start in banking, and his transition from managing Special Situations in Europe to founding the Americ...

Anne-Louise Sommer, director of Designmuseum Danmark since 2011, joins Pearl Lam for a conversation on the transformative role of design in society. Under her leadership, the museum has grown into an internationally recognized institution, championing the idea that "Design must be shared." In this episode, Anne-Louise discusses the intersection of design, history, and culture, her work in academia...

During a recent visit to Copenhagen, Pearl Lam visited Restaurant Jordnær, an acclaimed dining destination that has captivated food enthusiasts worldwide. She spoke with head chef Eric Vildgaard and his wife, restaurant host Tina Vildgaard, uncovering the dedication and artistry that define their approach to Nordic gastronomy. Their discussion delved into the philosophy behind Danish fine dining,...