In this Mandarin-language episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam speaks with artist Su Xiaobai.

The discussion centres on Su’s practice, shaped by material, process and repetition, with a focus on his lacquer works. Reflecting on his development, he considers the interplay between control and chance, and the role of time, discipline and surface in the formation of his paintings.

The episode also addresses the philosophical and cultural frameworks underpinning his work, including the influence of Eastern thought and the tension between tradition and contemporary expression. Working predominantly in monochrome, Su’s practice resists narrative, instead emphasising texture, depth and perception.