Disappeared Hong Kong Art (3) is a set of large fiberglass Chinese bowls that have been sawed apart.

The bowls were originally part of a public installation in Hong Kong featuring a group of local artists. Due to a disagreement on the opening day between the venue and organizers of the project, the exhibition lasted a mere 24 hours, after which it was quickly dismantled. The abrupt and sudden breakdown in communication had a profound impact on Lam. As he witnessed firsthand the dramatic unfolding of events, he was struck by the uncompromising stances of the two sides; and yet, being able to empathize with the opposing viewpoints of each side, he became immediately aware of the conflicting views that existed within himself.

The work was eventually returned to the artist’s studio, and Lam decided to cut the large bowls into pieces, incorporating them into the Disappeared Hong Kong Art series that he was developing at the time, writing:  “art is changed, when the situation has changed.”

The artist stored this “disappeared” piece in Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, Hong Kong for three and a half years, until it was exhibited in 2017.