Max Lam ’24 is a four-year Senior from Hong Kong. He is co-head of the Art Club, Architecture and Design Club, and serves on the Library Design Committee. Lam has taken Studio Art, Architecture, and Honors Art History. He will be taking Honors Advanced Portfolio this year.

How did you discover your passion for art?

I’ve enjoyed drawing and making things since I was very young, so coming here was a great opportunity for me to hone a lot of my skills and narrow down my interests.

Can you tell us about your favorite current project?

My favorite works of my own have been self-driven, as they have allowed me to be a lot more creative. Right now I’m working on a piece that explores the possible impacts of rising sea levels on future architecture, which gives it a bit of a dystopian look. 

I am inspired by the shapes of ship hulls and stilted housing in the design; I imagine that in the future the sea levels will get so high that the only housing available is set high on stilts or on boats. I am also drawing inspiration from current energy trends like ocean wind farms, so there is a modernized windmill design attached to the main structure of my design. 

How has the school’s curriculum helped you explore your passion for art?

Having such a strong Arts department with teachers who are always there to help you find inspiration or critique your work has been very influential. Teachers like Mr. [Brad] Faus and Ms. [Colleen] McGuire really go out of their way to support your interests, by doing things such as inviting professional artists to lecture to your class. 

I also can’t recommend Art History and Architecture enough; they really helped me build a strong foundation in the Arts.

What are some of your favorite works of art?

I’ve recently been particularly interested in early modern architecture from Le Corbusier and Mies Vander Rohe, such as Villa Savoye and the Seagram Building. I’m less interested in their aesthetics, but more so the influence these buildings have had on the architecture we see today.

How do you plan to pursue art after high school?

I’m interested in pursuing architecture, art history, or some form of urban or industrial design in college. I don’t plan to make art my career, but these fields of study tend to have very well-rounded curriculums that can be used in many diverse design-related fields.