Artist Talk and Tea Ceremonies with Lam Wong

In conjunction with the exhibition, In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice, please join us for an artist talk with Lam Wong at Walter Phillips Gallery with an introduction by exhibition curator Haema Sivanesan, followed by a series of tea ceremonies hosted by the artist and open to the public for registration.

Lam Wong’s installation, MA No.1 – The Space Between Objects (Mu/Wu) (2019-ongoing) modernizes and reframes the environment of a traditional Japanese tea house as a floor sculpture incorporating various East Asian and Western elements. The installation contains many Buddhist symbols and references, which the artist describes as encompassing a “total knowledge”, suggesting how East Asian tea cultures are deeply connected to Buddhist thought. The installation is activated as socially engaged art practice (social practice) by the ritual of tea, hosted by the artist. In this way, the artist facilitates a profound exchange between strangers, effecting a moment of stillness – a glimpse of Empty Awareness.

Tea ceremonies hosted by the artist will take place on Friday, September 15 at 2:30pm; 3:30pm; and 4:30pm; and on Saturday, September 16 at 1pm; 2pm; 3pm; and 4pm at Walter Phillips Gallery. The events are each approximately a half hour, with two participants per session. To view availability and to register, please click here.

In the Present Moment: Buddhism, Contemporary Art, and Social Practice is guest curated by Haema Sivanesan, Director, Leighton Studios and Program Partnerships. This exhibition draws on research undertaken during her tenure as Curator, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, generously supported by funding from The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, Hong Kong and Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York.

The exhibition at Walter Phillips Gallery is made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Government of Canada and Government of Alberta.

Free event. Pre-registration for Tea Ceremony events required.