Website: https://www.alisonlam.art
"Can you ever imagine what it’s like to be grieving over and over for the life you'll never have, because of the one you do have?" Identifying as a neurodiverse, interdisciplinary socially engaged artist using differing materials such as porcelain, metals, glass, paper. Lam explores the idea of grief, discardment and ostracisation, through exploring process led investigations. To reflect the way in which those of us with differences are seen. Exploring what it means to be ‘different’. Lam sees the potential for beauty in what others might believe to be ‘unwanted’ or ‘useless’. Her material choices - the unpredictability of molten metal and the element of chance that comes with creating ceramics - mirror the life she and many of us live: one that can be of uncertainty, flux and change. The term ‘discarded’ encompass her experiences as a mother of two autistic children and the material choices she makes to convey this journey visually. It is also a journey many of us experience at one time or another in our lives, one which starts with loss or grief, the notion that we are grieving for a life that would not exist. In her role as a mother, she observes the frustrations and difficulties her two boys with autism encounter as they struggle to communicate. She collects conversations through listening to their interactions with each other and those around them. This dialogue is essential to them, to herself and to others in understanding one’s place in the world. Alison has aimed to make tangible that which we all take for granted: our agency as individuals with the right to be recognised and understood. Alison Lam holds a PGCE and is a qualified art teacher. Has completed a MA in Fine Arts and Social Practise in 2019. She is currently artist in resident at Lauderdale House where she has connected with local community and Camden Disability Youth Service. She is also an Artist Educator at Bow Arts. Lam has also exhibited in group and solo shows as well as at Discerning Eye. Lam’s work has been used for front cover and featured in Seisma and Rung Magazine. Her work is held in many private collections.