About

UUENDY LAU is a design and art laboratory that provokes alternative speculations on nature. “Double U” is a unique recognition of our founder. It is not only a symbol of dual delight (ÜÜ), but also a language strengthening the connections among individuals and matters (Ü-Ü).

The main theme of our work centres on ‘animals and nature’, a universal and inclusive subject permeating all cultures, languages, lifestyles and beliefs. Discursive enquiries are made into unfamiliar associations and juxtapositions between the natural world and human-made inventions during the creative process of researching, designing and making. Through a speculative lens of imagination and critique, we conduct curious observations on the environment and strive to redefine our connections with the landscape to develop a more empathetic understanding and interaction with nature. The idea further inspires artistic responses that question contradictory scenarios in contemporary societies, where most people separate themselves from nature and stay in confined spaces bounded by (digital) screens and walls, and yet they have to rely heavily on the environment and other beings to survive and live. The concept also communicates our advocacy of mental wellbeing and empowerment to embrace our inner thoughts and emotions prompted from new perspectives to develop alternative interpretations of nature.

We create design probes that spark discussions, support shared values and enhance social experience to foster more diverse insight into nature. Our projects initiate organic interactions and discourses on the landscape and living things through art, design, (provocative) objects, illustration and participatory creations. We encourage the audience and community to reflect deliberately on current practices and explore more positive collaborations between humankind and the environment for a more sustainable future. We work internationally on projects and exhibitions, and are based in London, Birmingham and Hong Kong.

#Speculations on Nature
#speculative objects #illustration #art installation #participatory creations #collaborative workshop

COLLABORATORS

M+ Museum, Aesop, Brooks Brothers, Marc Jacobs, TUMI, Absolut Vodka, The Mills, VOGUE, Lomography, TEDx, New Balance, 9GAG, House of Vans, Lane Crawford, Design Trust, Oi! Art Space, Art Promotion Office, Times Square HK, HKWalls, Animoca Brands, Teva, Pedder Group (HK), Hong Kong Sharks Foundation, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Ambassador of Design, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Oxfam, Conservancy Association, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, PMQ, Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre (The University of Hong Kong), Being Hong Kong, House of Avenues, Champagne Cattier, Fang Suo Commune, Grace Vineyard, Detour, Olympican City, K11 Art Mall, The Little Prince, Bunkaya Zakkaten, UA Cinema, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and many more.

(Artist Portrait photo credit: Jocelyn Tam | www.jocelyntam.com)

UUendy Lau (UU)
(Founding Designer & Artist)

UU is a multidisciplinary designer with a strong passion for experimental art and speculative designs inspired by nature. She receives her Master's Degree in Critical Design from Goldsmiths, University of London, and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Design (Industrial & Product) from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design. She never limits the medium of her creations and her works range over various disciplines of design to communicate with the audience including objects, illustration, installation, live-performance and workshops.

UU is working mainly across London, Birmingham and Hong Kong. She has been involved in a number of design events and exhibitions (e.g. as an invited speaker at TEDx, as an invited artist for both charity and commercial organisations such as Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Absolut Vodka, Lomography, New Balance etc). She has received sponsorships to take part in various overseas artist/designer residencies programmes making international presence, including Northern Rivers Community Gallery (Australia), PARADISE AIR (Japan), Guandu International Nature Art Festival (Taiwan), HK Brussels Design Exchange Program (Belgium).

Being trained as a product designer at the early stage of her career, UU also has extensive working experience as a Design Manager supervising product development, manufacturing and commercialisation of design projects, as well as curation of exhibitions and events for galleries and design programmes.

EDUCATION

MA Design | Critical Practice, Goldsmiths, University of London
BA Design | Industrial & Product, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Study Trip | Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan

INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCIES & GRANTS

2018 | "Environment Futures" | NRCG | Ballina, Australia
(Artist Stipend by Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios)

2018 | "A Dialogue with Plants" | PARADISE AIR | Matsudo, Japan
(Full Grant by Hong Kong Arts Development Council)

2017 | "With Paths Crisscrossing" | Guandu Nature Art Festival | Taipei, Taiwan
(Full Grant by Guandu Nature Park)

2013 | "Brussels Design September" | HKBX | Brussels, Belgium
(Full Grant by Ambassador of Design Hong Kong)

TEACHING & LECTURES

EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)

PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS (SELECTED)

WORKSHOPS (SELECTED)

DESIGN MARKETS (SELECTED)

RETAIL PARTNERS

foreforehead (HK), Sunsat Store (HK), Ethos (HK), Odd One Out (HK), PageOne (HK), Triple Major (CH), Daydream Nation (HK),, Amelie Street (HK), Common Ground (HK), MO-Design (MACAU), C-Shop (MACAU), Pon Ding (TW), Mangasick (TW), Gardencity Bookstore (TW), Depression Shop (SG), Nana & Bird (SG), WOK Milan (IT)