Lise Wilhelmsen Award-Winner Lap-See Lam Explores History of Chinese Restaurants in Sweden
Lam said the award will allow her exploration of the Cantonese diasporic experience and generational loss to continue. Save to My Ocula
Swedish artist Lap-See Lam has won the 2025 Lise Wilhelmsen Art Award, taking home a prize of USD 100,000 along with an exhibition at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in Oslo, a publication, and the acquisition of Lam’s work for the museum’s collection.
Lam is the fourth to win the biennial award, which was created to mark a pivotal milestone in an artist’s career. It comes a year after Lam represented the Nordic countries at the Venice Biennale.
Drawing on traditional storytelling forms such as Cantonese opera and shadow plays, Lam’s work examines themes of ‘generational loss’ and the mistranslation of cultural heritage.
It also reflects her family’s migration story, entwined with the history of Chinese restaurants in Sweden—including one founded by her grandmother in the 1970s.
Lam said the award would allow her to keep on creating.
‘This award makes it possible to continue the work—building, questioning, and creating with others, giving form to the unseen and the possible,’ she said.
Lam has upcoming solo exhibitions at Moderna Museet, Stockholm in May 2025 and the Vienna Secession in 2026, among others.
Her exhibition at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter will open in June 2026, offering the most comprehensive presentation of her work to date.
Previous winners of the award include Alia Farid in 2023, Guadalupe Maravilla in 2021 and Otobong Nkanga in 2019. —[O]
Main image: Exhibition view: Lap-See Lam, Floating Sea Palace, Studio Voltaire, London (18 September–15 December 2024). Courtesy the artist and Studio Voltaire. Photo: Andy Keate.
A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.
Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.
Learn more about Ocula Magazine
Showcasing the best of the art world.
Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.
Learn more about Ocula Membership
Specialises in the sale of major artworks.
Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.
Learn more about our team and services