- lai lam -

born and raised in hong kong, my background is in communications and information management before becoming a full-time weaver. i have a strong fascination of textiles and all things fibre since my early years. stories about my grandfather selling pre-wound warps in a south china village store in the 1940’s; watching a neighbour handspin sewing thread as fine as hair; my mother showing how to strip fibres from wild ramie plants in hong kong are some of my archived childhood memories.

my fibrecraft journey began after my family moved to new zealand. after joining the auckland handweavers and spinners guild, i gradually developed an obsession with plant fibres such as linen, ramie, and muka from the harakeke plant.

intrigued by backstrap weaving practised by many indigenous cultures around the world, this became my signature style after much addictive research and documentary videos. i find it mysteriously satisfying to have the warp strapped around my back while weaving, and watching the piece roll and grow slowly in front of me.

my most recent exhibition at the corbans estate arts centre portrayed a selection of spinning and weaving works, many with unusual plant fibres. the forgotten bolts in particular, has attracted a lot of attention.