Cassian LAU

ARTWORKS | NEWS

Cassian Lau was born in Hong Kong on April 26, 1968. His interest in art started at an early age when his sisters gave him stacks of paper to draw and to keep him busy. At the age of 6, Cassian moved to Toronto, Canada. He learned English by reading American comic books and watching American television. As such, Cassian acquired a love of North American popular culture. This love of pop culture would extend into other nationals which would later on strongly influence his artwork.

Growing up in a western country had Cassian questioning his identity as an ethnic Hong Kong Chinese. A yearning to learn more about Chinese culture stemmed from this conflict of west versus east, which would later become a collage of western and eastern images, cultures, iconography, words, literature, music and other facets as seen in his work.

Cassian attended York Mills Collegiate in Toronto and obtained his degrees in Fine Arts and Business Administration at York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Upon the completion of his studies, Cassian returned to Hong Kong to be with his parents. Cassian's art encompasses many styles and influences. He finds inspiration from any and everywhere.

Artist Statement

Cassian's work also includes strong social messages. As a painter, he records and expresses what he feels are social injustices in the world. In many of his works, he quotes many ancient scholars extolling their wisdom. It is important to him that the ethics and morals of our Chinese heritage be retained and reminded again. Cassian believes that “We must care more, love more and help more”.