Lap-See Lam receives The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award

The Award Programme unfolds biannually and consists of three key elements: an artistic honorarium  of 100,000 USD; an exhibition at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter with a publication; and an acquisition of the artist's work in Henie Onstad's permanent collection.  

The work of Swedish artist Lap-See Lam interprets traditional storytelling forms such as Cantonese  opera and shadow plays to grapple with the translation – and mistranslation – of cultural heritage.  Lam’s practice, ranging from film to virtual reality, sculpture, and installation, addresses a process she describes as ‘generational loss’. Her work traces a line through histories of 18th Century  Chinoiserie through to the decor of Chinese restaurants in modern-day Sweden, including the one  established by her grandmother on her arrival to Stockholm from Hong Kong in the 1970s. Lam’s art  also reflects her family's migration history. She represented the Nordic Countries at the 60th Venice  Biennale in 2024 and has upcoming shows at PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art, Montréal  (2025), Moderna Museet, Stockholm (2025) and Vienna Secession, Vienna (2026). 

The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award honours the contribution of an outstanding international artist with  a significant body of work whose practice resonates with our time and ignites meaningful  conversations. The Award is intended to mark a pivotal milestone in an artist's career and is selected  by an international jury of experts. Lam is the fourth award recipient, following Alia Farid in 2023,  Guadalupe Maravilla in 2021 and Otobong Nkanga in 2019. Lam’s exhibition at the Henie Onstad  Kunstsenter will open in June 2026 and will be the most extensive presentation of her work to date.  

Lap-See Lam said: “My work often unfolds through large-scale, collaborative processes – bringing together diverse  voices, materials and histories to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Receiving the  Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award is not only an affirmation of this way of working, but also a reminder of  the vital role art plays in shaping how we see, remember and imagine the world. More than  anything, this award makes it possible to continue the work – building, questioning and creating with  others, giving form to the unseen and the possible. It is a great honour.” 

The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award Programme jury said: “We are proud to announce Lap-See Lam as the recipient of the fourth Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award.  Her work investigates narratives and mythologies surrounding the Cantonese diaspora in Europe,  particularly in Sweden. Through digital media, sculpture, and immersive installations, she explores  themes of cultural heritage, representation, and identity. Her work is deeply rooted in memory and  history, offering a powerful and experimental approach that encourages reflection on significant yet  underexplored social histories in Scandinavia. 

The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award is intended to mark a defining milestone in an artistic career, and the  jury unanimously agrees that Lam’s extraordinary work is at a pivotal stage. The jury hopes the  award will contribute to the further development of Lap-See Lam’s practice and holds high  expectations for her future work.” 

Paulina Rider Wilhelmsen, Founder and Jury Member, said: “It is with great joy that we welcome Lap-See Lam as the new laureate of the Lise Wilhelmsen Art  Award, which is so meaningful for our family.  

When we first encountered Lam’s work, it stayed with us — stirring conversations, emotions, and  curiosity. That, to us, is what truly powerful art does. Her practice is deeply personal yet widely  resonant — there’s a certain magic in how she explores identity, migration, family, and memory. We  were especially moved by how her work is intertwined with her own family’s story, honouring those  who came before her and inviting them into the creative process. 

Main Image: Lap-See Lam is the recipient of The Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award 2025. Photo: Simen Øvergaard / Henie Onstad Kunstsenter