‘I thought I was god’s gift to China’: art gallery owner Pearl Lam on her ‘colonial attitude’ and embracing her ethnicity
- Art gallery owner Pearl Lam on growing up as the daughter of property tycoon Lim Por-yen, losing her colonial mindset and celebrating diversity
I was born in Hong Kong and lived in Jardine’s Lookout. I have a younger brother and two or maybe three half-brothers. We did not see each other then and we still don’t.
I went to St Paul’s Convent School and then Rosaryhill School. I can’t remember much about my early days. My life started when I was sent abroad when I was 11.
My dream was to be a perpetual and professional student. I didn’t want to come back to Hong Kong. I first went to America. I was there just over a year, it was a disaster and I was always cold. Then I went to boarding school in the UK. I was rebellious, naughty.
That family
I realised what I had overseas was freedom. I could do whatever I wanted. All I wanted to do was pass my exams and stay in England and never return to Hong Kong. I could have my own identity overseas – no one knew my parents or my family. I had a different life.
If I came back to Hong Kong, I’d have to behave, I was someone’s daughter, I belonged to that family.
I wanted to study art or architecture, but my father cut my financial expenses so I couldn’t do it. I ended up studying accountancy and financial management at the University of Buckingham.
What was amazing was that there was a ratio of five boys to one girl – I had such a great time there. I loved my university life.
