Zoie Lam: The Art of Staying True to Oneself

Hong Kong's art and design scene has seen a remarkable rise of talent in recent years, and Zoie Lam undoubtedly stands out as one of its most distinctive and authentic voices. With her signature short hair and tattooed arms, Zoie brings an unmistakable presence to everything she creates.

From her beginnings in graphic design to becoming a fashion designer and artist, Zoie has remained firmly rooted in her own identity and personal integrity, resisting fleeting trends and external pressures. "In creative work, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself, to hold on to your original vision and style, and to strive for perfection," she says. It is precisely this commitment to her own unique artistic language that has earned her recognition both locally and internationally.

A Studio by the Sea

Zoie's ground-floor studio is located at Park Island 1868, a peaceful coastal community alive with colourful houses and large-scale murals. Inside the mint-green house, her diverse body of work fills the space: vibrant acrylic paintings, handcrafted ceramics, and unique furniture pieces, each carrying her signature playful energy and bold colour palette.

Building Her Own Path

Trained in graphic design and advertising, Zoie began her career at a fashion company as a graphic designer. This gradually evolved into a passion for fashion itself. Through self-directed learning and experimentation, she eventually transitioned into the role of fashion designer. In 2014, she took a decisive step and founded her own label, ZL by ZLISM.

"I didn't want to be led by the market, so I decided to create something I genuinely love," she explains. The brand's avant-garde aesthetic may not appeal to mainstream audiences, but its distinctiveness opened doors: Zoie was invited to the Berlin Alternative Fashion Week for three consecutive years, becoming the first Hong Kong designer to showcase on its runway. "Designers from all over the world gather in Berlin," Zoie explains. "Seeing their work was eye-opening and incredibly inspiring."

A World Defined by Colour

In parallel to her fashion journey, Zoie launched her ZLISM illustration series in 2010. Known for its joyful, playful use of colour, her natural ability to combine bold neon tones in fluorescent pink, orange, and yellow makes her illustrations feel like portals to an alternate universe.

"ZLISM is like an alien planet inhabited by different creatures," she says. Her works often draw inspiration from nature, interwoven with characters drawn from everyday life, family, and friends. One of her paintings, depicting mountains, rivers and houses, shows a figure named "Tiu Tiu," a small peanut-shaped character climbing from the base of a mountain to its peak.

"The main character represents life," she explains. "Some people feel they are at a low point, while others are excited about the journey ahead. It all depends on perspective." Through her work, Zoie seeks both to inspire others and to encourage herself. "Whether it was founding my brand or becoming an artist, I've taken it step by step, just like Tiu Tiu, carving out my own path."

Bringing Art into the City

Since 2017, Zoie has expanded into large-scale mural work, finding both challenge and reward in creating art that directly engages the public: "Hong Kong is a fast-paced city. If someone walking by stops to look at my mural, even for a moment, I hope it gives them a brief pause to breathe." She has worked on several major mural projects, including a large-scale piece on the exterior of Lee Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay. The project presented significant technical challenges, requiring working on bamboo scaffolding in the sun and rain, followed by crane-assisted finishing touches. "Completing it within a month was intense, but incredibly rewarding," she recalls. Two years ago, Zoie created a striking 100-metre-long mural for a Central harbourfront construction site, transforming an ordinary hoarding into a vibrant urban art corridor that successfully brought art into the community.

Expanding Her Practice

In recent years, Zoie has ventured into ceramics and furniture design. Her studio showcases handcrafted pieces with fluid, organic shapes and vivid colours that extend her signature aesthetic into everyday objects. "I want to integrate my artistic style into everyday life," she says. While she remains committed to artistic authenticity, she is candid about the ongoing tension between creative vision and commercial viability: "I want to stay true to my style, but sometimes the final product may not align with market demand or practicality."

Art as Expression and Healing

For Zoie, art is a powerful medium, both as personal expression and as a source of healing for others. "Everyone interprets art differently, and that's what makes it so interesting," she says. Over the years, her works have been exhibited at several exhibitions, with her first overseas solo exhibition in Santander, Spain marking a significant milestone in her career. "For an artist, being seen is not easy," she explains. "Having people appreciate my work is something I'm deeply grateful for."

Giving Back Through Art

Beyond her own creative pursuits, Zoie is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She has collaborated with Harbour City on exhibitions and charity sales, donating all proceeds to the Children's Cancer Foundation. She also regularly participates in volunteer teaching, working with ethnic minorities, marginalized youth, hospital patients, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. "I don't just teach drawing techniques. I also share life experiences to help them find themselves. Being able to give back through what I do brings me great fulfilment."

The Power of Persistence

Looking back, Zoie acknowledges that the path of an independent artist in Hong Kong is rarely smooth. "Working in the arts in Hong Kong is challenging," she explains. "When I first transitioned into being an artist, life was unstable. It took time to build recognition." Early on, financial instability made her question whether she should return to a more conventional fashion career. What kept her going was persistence and belief in her vision: "The key is persistence. If I gave up, all the time and effort I've invested would be lost." She maintains that staying true to oneself is essential and continues to hold extremely high standards for her own work. "Beyond talent, striving for excellence is what drives me forward."

"Through art, I can fully express my feelings and ideas — and at the same time, bring healing to others."

About Zoie

Zoie Lam studied graphic design and advertising before beginning her career as a graphic designer in the fashion industry. She later transitioned into fashion design and founded her label ZL by ZLISM in 2014. From 2015 onwards, she was invited to Berlin Alternative Fashion Week for three consecutive years, becoming the first Hong Kong designer to showcase on its runway.

Since launching her ZLISM illustration series in 2010, her works have been exhibited at platforms including the Seoul Art Show, Affordable Art Fair, and Asia Contemporary Art Fair. She has held a solo exhibition in Santander, Spain. She has expanded her practice into murals, ceramics, and furniture design, and continues to explore new creative dimensions.