About
UUENDY LAU is a design and art laboratory that explores alternative speculations on nature. “Double U” is a unique recognition of our founder, not only a symbol of dual delight (ÜÜ) but also a unifying language strengthening connections among individuals and the world around us (Ü-Ü).
Our focus centres on the profound theme of ‘animals and nature’, a universal and inclusive subject transcending boundaries of culture, language and belief. In our process of research, experimentation, design and creation, we delve into unconventional territories, exploring the intersections and divergence between the natural realm and human-made inventions. We observe with openness and curiosity through speculative lenses of imagination and critical inquiry which prompt us to scrutinise and rethink our relationship with the environment. At the core of our research and approach revolves around the interrogation of contemporary societies, where the dichotomy between humanity's disconnection from nature and its reliance on the environment is stark. We are keen on exploring new perspectives to foster critical and empathetic understandings of nature, which, in turn, inspires thought-provoking artistic responses. Our projects also strive to empower wellbeing and resonate with our inner thoughts and emotions by cultivating alternative means to connect with nature.
We create design probes that spark meaningful conversations, support shared values and enrich social experiences. Our initiatives seek to foster organic interactions and dialogues about landscapes and living entities through installation art, design, provocative objects, illustration and participatory creations. Actively engaging audiences and communities, we encourage deliberate reflection on current practices and facilitating positive collaborations between humanity and the environment to envision a more desirable and sustainable future. We work internationally on projects and exhibitions across London, Birmingham and Hong Kong.
#Speculations on Nature
#speculative objects #illustration #art installation #participatory creations #collaborative workshop
COLLABORATORS
M+ Museum, Oi! Art Space, Aesop, TEDx, Marc Jacobs, Absolut Vodka, The Mills , Vogue, Lomography, New Balance, 9GAG, House of Vans, HKWalls, Animoca Brands, Teva, Hong Kong Sharks Foundation, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Design Trust, Art Promotion Office, Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre (HKU), Oxfam, Conservancy Association, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, PMQ, Being Hong Kong, Detour, Brooks Brothers, TUMI, K11, Bunkaya Zakkaten, and many more.
UUendy Lau (UU)
(Founding Designer & Artist)
UUendy Lau (usually goes by her artist name UU) is a multidisciplinary designer and artist having a fervent passion for experimental art and speculative designs that draw inspiration from nature. Her creative pursuits traverse diverse design realms to engage and connect with audiences, including objects, illustration, installations, live performances and workshops. She obtained her Master's Degree in Critical Design from Goldsmiths, University of London, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Design (Industrial & Product) from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design.
UU’s active involvement in a spectrum of design events and exhibitions highlights her collaborative spirit and unique aesthetics (e.g. as an invited speaker at TEDx, as an invited artist for both charity and commercial organisations such as M+ Museum, The Mills, Aesop, New Balance, among others). Her versatile participation and exposure underscore creativity, enthusiasm and professionalism. She has received sponsorships to take part in overseas artist/designer residencies programmes and has gradually expanded her international presence, including Northern Rivers Community Gallery (Australia), PARADISE AIR (Japan), Guandu International Nature Art Festival (Taiwan) and HK Brussels Design Exchange Program (Belgium). She is currently working on projects across London, Birmingham and Hong Kong.
While trained as a product designer early in her career, UU’s professional journey has also encompassed roles as a Design Manager in a university’s design department and a wood fossil park overseeing product development, manufacturing and commercialisation of design projects. Her comprehensive experience extends to curating exhibitions and events for galleries and design programmes, showcasing her proficiency not only in design but also in project management and curation.
EDUCATION
MA in Design | Critical Practice, Goldsmiths, University of London
BA in Design | Industrial & Product, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Study Trip | Tokyo & Kyoto, Japan
INTERNATIONAL RESIDENCIES & GRANTS
2018 | "Environment Futures" | NRCG | Ballina, Australia
(Artist Stipend by Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios)
2018 | "A Dialogue with Plants" | PARADISE AIR | Matsudo, Japan
(Full Grant by Hong Kong Arts Development Council)
2017 | "With Paths Crisscrossing" | Guandu Nature Art Festival | Taipei, Taiwan
(Full Grant by Guandu Nature Park)
2013 | "Brussels Design September" | HKBX | Brussels, Belgium
(Full Grant by Ambassador of Design Hong Kong)
TEACHING & LECTURES
2022 | Jockey Club Art and Well-being Schools' Mural Project | Hong Kong
2021 | PMQ SEED Design Thinking Programme School Outreach | Hong Kong
2018 | "Artist Lecture" | Southern Cross University | Lismore, Australia
2017 | "Artists Talk" | Guandu Nature Park | Taipei, Taiwan
2017 | "Artist Talk" | Kubrick | Hong Kong
2014 | "Stationery Design and Product Packaging Vogue" | HKCEC | Hong Kong
2013 | "Startup - Leadership" JCI Milestone Program | Junior Chamber International Hong Kong
2013 | "Action 2013", Entrepreneurship Seminar | The University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong
2013 | "Pecha Kucha 20 x 20" | Recyclart | Brussels, Belgium
2012 | "TEDx Youth Hong Kong" | Hong Kong Design Institute | Hong Kong
EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)
2023 | Here We Are Group Show | RBSA | Birmingham, UK
2023 | Have A Nice Dream | Re:Fresh & Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service | Hong Kong
2022 | MOVED Group Show | Birmingham, UK
2022 | We the Shezi Living Festival | Taiwan
2022 | Our Living Library | Oi! Art Space | Hong Kong
2022 | Meeting the New Me | Re:Fresh & Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service | Hong Kong
2022 | Tin Shui Wai Park Festival | Hong Kong
2021 | Colours of the Earth | The Mills | Hong Kong
2021 | MEME Museum by 9GAG | K11 | Hong Kong
2021| Play Lives | Design Spectrum | Hong Kong
2021 | The Use of The Useless | PMQ | Hong Kong
2020 | Unknown Asia Art Exchange Osaka | Kiyo Bank & Unknown Asia | Japan & Online
2020 | Design Trust Critically Homemade | Soho House | Hong Kong
2020 | The Comfort Hand Family | foreforehead | Hong Kong
2019 | "Opening Page: The Art of The Creative Process" | Design Spectrum | Hong Kong
2019 | "Whiteness" | House by Kubrick TaiKoo | Hong Kong
2018 | "Re-Experiencing Waves" | Northern Rivers Community Gallery | Ballina, Australia
2018 | "PARADISE AIR Short Stay Exhibition" | MAD City Gallery | Matsudo, Japan
2018 | "Hanzi Exhibition" | PMQ | Hong Kong
2018 | "New Balance 574" | K11 | Hong Kong
2018 | "International Postcard Exhibition" | Surface Gallery | Nottingham, UK
2017 | "Guandu International Nature Art Festival 2017" | Guandu Nature Park | Taipei, Taiwan
2017 | "Featuring Futuring" | Goldsmiths Design Festival & London Design Festival | London, UK
2017 | "Very Hong Kong" | Comix Home Base | Hong Kong
2016 | "Here is Zine" | Tokyo Cultuart by BEAMS | Tokyo, Japan
2016 | "When I Am Turning 48" | YO'HOOD | Shanghai, China
2016 | "Sick Leave Today" | Ethos | Hong Kong
2016 | "The PRINT MARKET #02" | Ethos | Hong Kong
2015 | "Tie the Knot" | Magis | Hong Kong
2015 | "House of Vans Asia Tour 2015" | Central Pier | Hong Kong
2015 | "Plastic Oceans" | Hong Kong Maritime Museum | Hong Kong
2015 | "Triple-Major 5th Anniversary" | Triple Major | Shanghai, China
2015 | "The PRINT MARKET #01" | Ethos | Hong Kong
2014 | "A Green Hong Kong" by Conservancy Association | China Hong Kong City, Hong Kong
2014 | "10Cents Store" by The Black Store | PMQ | Hong Kong
2014 | "HOME" | Fang Suo Commune | Guangzhou, China
2014 | "Timeless Childhood" by Grace Vineyard | HKCEC | Hong Kong
2013 | "Detour Matters" | Oil Street Art Space | Hong Kong
2013 | "ta' ta' ta' " by HK Brussels Designers Exchange Programme | The Egg | Brussels, Belgium
2013 | "Ocean Art Walk" by HK Shark Foundation | Blake Pier, Stanley | Hong Kong
2012 | "Hi Absolut" by Absolut Vodka | Grandview Mall | Guangzhou, China
2012 | "La Sardina Wardrobe" | Lomography | Hong Kong
2012 | "Back to Nature" | UA Cinema, Cityplaza Taikoo Shing | Hong Kong
2012 | "Triple Major Nomad Store" | WOK | Milan, Italy
2012 | "Kaohsiung Design Festival" | The Pier-2 Art Centre | Kaohsiung, Taiwan
PROJECTS & COLLABORATIONS (SELECTED)
2024 | Good Date Village | Airside & The Mills2024 | Jockey Club Diversity at Schools Project | University of Hong Kong2024 | Work-Climb Imbalance | Project Climb2024 | The MUST-HAVES | Project Climb2024 | OVERTHINK
2024 | Everything's in Place Asia Placemaking Convention | Space +2024 | Barn Swallow | Disapora Explorer2022 - 2024 | Space+ Festival | Very Hong Kong
2023 | Island Bee & Bee Visuals | Inter-Island Festival
2023 | Let's Grow Together | St. James Settlement Transitional Housing
2023 | Mocaverse | Animoca Brands
2023 | Farmers Market | In Time of Fair | The Mills
2023 | Homemade Delicacies | Pak Fook & Nestle Group
2023 | Hong Kong Elements | Very Hong Kong
2023 | Membership Programme | Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
2023 | Learning & Access Guide | M+ Museum
2023 | Hong Kong Showtime! | Hong Kong Palace Museum
2022 | Green & Blue | TEVA
2022 | Mongkok Urban Scene | URA & Groundwork Architects
2021 | (Make) Sense of Nature Learning Kits | PMQ
2021 | "The Moments of MIRROR" | MARC JACOBS
2021 | "STREETS in HK" | Being Hong Kong
2021 | "CHAT Seed to Textile: Indigo Bag" | Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile (CHAT)
2021 | Bike Coffeeman | Peng Chau
2021 | "My Fragrance" | Aesop | HK & Macau
2021 | "Daily Routine in North Point" | Hong Kong Arts Centre | Hong Kong
2021 | "The Ocean of Thoughts" | SINCE Concept Store | Hong Kong
2021 | Uncle Ben Coffee | Hong Kong
2021 | "An Ordinary Day in NYC" | Brooks Brothers | Online
2021 | "Ping Pong #05" Publication | Hong Kong
2020 | "Dancing with Nature" | Design Trust | Hong Kong
2020 | "Stone, Branch & Leaf" | Kickstarter | Online & International
2020 | "Islanders" | Peng Chau | Hong Kong
2020 | "Dancing With The Wind" | Hong Kong
2019 | "The Urban Forest" | Rich & Rare Jewellery, Central | Hong Kong
2019 | "HKWalls" | Yat Sin Street Wan Chai| Hong Kong
2019 | "Ping Pong #04" Publication | Hong Kong
2019 | "Hide & Seek" | Times Square | Hong Kong
2018 | "Oootopia" | Hong Kong
2018 | "Gililigilili" Sound Performance | Performance Exchange | London, UK
2017 | "Re-Interpreting Human Rights" | London, UK
2017 | "3/4 Nature" | Ethos | HK
2017 | "Global Connection" | Times Square | Hong Kong
2017 | "Right to Conscious Socialisation" | London, UK
2017 | "Dialogue in the Globe" | London, UK
2016 | "The Best Way to Deal With Anxiety" | Mak's Beer | Hong Kong
2016 | "Ping Pong #03" Publication | Hong Kong
2015 | "Love Revealed" | Tissot | Hong Kong
2015 | "Postcard Exchange" | Global
2014 | Popup store | POMCH, PMQ | Hong Kong
2014 | "The Year of HORSE" | Cattier Champagne | Hong Kong
2014 | "Home for Dinner Meowwww!" | Oxfam | Hong Kong
2014 | "S A L E at House of Avenues" | House of Avenues | Hong Kong
2013 | "Little Pets for Kids" | milkB, Hong Kong
2012 | "Animals in the Zuu" Chair in a Pair | Bunkaya Zakkaten | Hong Kong
2012 | "White Valentine's Day" | Genki Sushi | Hong Kong
2012 | "Save the Marine Environment", Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Dept, Hong Kong
WORKSHOPS (SELECTED)
2024 | Zine-Making: A Whimsical Adventure Begins with Stones and Leaves" | Birmingham Design Festival | UK 2023 | "Let's Grow Together!" Mural creation | St. James' Settlement
2023 | "Have A Nice Dream" Close Your Eye Drawing | Re:Fresh
2022 | "Under the Trees" Guided Tour | Oil Street
2021 | "Nature Pattern Customisation Workshop" | MARC JACOBS
2021 | "Dreamcatcher Workshop" | The Mills | Hong Kong
2021 | "30-Min Scribing" | Eureka Nova Hackathon New World Group | Hong Kong
2021 | "A Whimsical Adventure Begins" | Design Spectrum & HK Design Centre | Hong Kong
2019 | "Vans PRO Shop" | Vans | Hong Kong
2018 | "The Scandinavian Kingdom" | TUMI | Hong Kong
2018 | "I Visited A Musem" | Tate Modern | London, UK
2017 | "Heck-a-Workshop" | Art Promotion Office | Hong Kong
2017 | "Penpal Project - Exchanging Scenes" | Guandu Nature Park & Kubrick |Taiwan & HK
2017 | "A Story of Birds" | Guandu Nature Park | Taiwan
2015 | "DIY Sk-8HI Vans" | House of Vans, Central | Hong Kong
2015 | "Walking Animal Slippers" | K11 | Hong Kong
2015 | "T-Shirt Transformation" | K11 | Hong Kong
2015 | "Fashion your Canvas" | Vans & Lane Crawford Blitz | Hong Kong
2015 | "Animal Card Case" | K11 | Hong Kong
2015 | "Animal Mobile Stand" | K11 | Hong Kong
2014 | "The Little Prince" | Olympican City | Hong Kong
2013 | "Eiffel Tower" | Olympican City | Hong Kong
2013 | "Marine Animals" | Hong Kong Maritime Museum | Hong Kong
2014 | "3D Animal Heads Accessories" | Daydream Nation | Hong Kong
2013 | "3D Animal Heads Accessories" | K11 | Hong Kong
2013 | "Origami Crane Accessories" | Fill in the Blank | Hong Kong
2012 | "3D Animal Heads Accessories" | UA Cinema | Hong Kong
2012 | "3D Animal Heads Accessories" | Lomography | Hong Kong
2012 | "Origami Crane Accessories" | K11 | Hong Kong
2012 | "Valentine's Origami Crane" | Bunkaya Zakkaten | Hong Kong
DESIGN MARKETS (SELECTED)
2024 | London DIY Market | UK
2024 | Brum Zine Fest | UK2019 - 2021 | Booked: | Tai Kwun | Hong Kong
2012 | Design Mart | Detour, Ambassador of Hong Kong | Hong Kong
2012 | Mini-Design Mart | Hong Kong Design Centre | Hong Kong
RETAIL PARTNERS
Odd One Out (HK)
Sunsat Store (HK)
foreforehead (HK)
Ethos (HK)
PageOne (HK)
Daydream Nation (HK)
Amelie Street (HK)
Common Ground (HK)
WOK Milan (IT)
Pon Ding (TW)
Mangasick (TW)
Gardencity Bookstore (TW)
Depression Shop (SG)
Nana & Bird (SG)
Triple Major (CN)
MO-Design (CN)
C-Shop (CN)