Biography
Lai Ping So is a visual artist, lecturer and editorial designer with interests in artists' books, writing systems, and sound art. Her work explores narrative forms in books, integrating printmaking, drawing, and typography. She seeks to understand the significance of visual scripts and shapes in conveying texts and abstract ideas. So's research delves into the role of typography in visual culture, addressing the complexities of multilingual typography with a focus on ensuring equal representation and legibility of different languages. Her creative studio mmmmor︎︎︎ specializes on the development of complex communication systems, printed matters, corporate design and digital media. Since 2020, So has been lecturing Editorial Design, Experimental Design and Bookbinding in various educational institutes in Germany.
Photo: Hannes Norberg
Education
2017
Master of Arts in Gutenberg Intermedia, Hochschule Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Mainz, Germany (DE) ︎︎︎
2011
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (HK)
2009
Higher Dipolma in Multimedia Design, School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (HK)
2017
Master of Arts in Gutenberg Intermedia, Hochschule Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Mainz, Germany (DE) ︎︎︎
2011
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong (HK)
2009
Higher Dipolma in Multimedia Design, School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong (HK)
Teaching
Since 2021
Lecturer, B.A. Information and Communication Design, Hochschule Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany (DE)
Since 2020
Lecturer, Neue Fotografie, Forum für künstlerische Fotografie, Düsseldorf, Germany (DE)
Since 2021
Lecturer, B.A. Information and Communication Design, Hochschule Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Kamp-Lintfort, Germany (DE)
Since 2020
Lecturer, Neue Fotografie, Forum für künstlerische Fotografie, Düsseldorf, Germany (DE)
Artists' books/Publications
imomiang (2024)
nini (2024)
At the Time When (2024)
Between Faces, Stories and Power (2023)
flo-o-o (2023)
The State of Being Vanished (Evanescence) No. 001–003 (2021)
dok dat dap dap (2021)
Vanishing No. 001–002 (2021)
Bookbinding Mini Lexicon (2017)
Designnonnatively – Design in a Language you Cannot Speak (2017)
imomiang (2024)
nini (2024)
At the Time When (2024)
Between Faces, Stories and Power (2023)
flo-o-o (2023)
The State of Being Vanished (Evanescence) No. 001–003 (2021)
dok dat dap dap (2021)
Vanishing No. 001–002 (2021)
Bookbinding Mini Lexicon (2017)
Designnonnatively – Design in a Language you Cannot Speak (2017)
Grants/Awards
2024
Artist-in-Residence 2024 Stipend, Soulangh Artist Village, Tainan (TW)
2022
Project Grant, Neustart Kultur, Stiftung Kunstfonds, Bonn (DE)
2024
Artist-in-Residence 2024 Stipend, Soulangh Artist Village, Tainan (TW)
2022
Project Grant, Neustart Kultur, Stiftung Kunstfonds, Bonn (DE)
Solo/Duo Exhibitions
2025 (upcoming)
from ab to zu. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, 9k-Galerie für Bild Wort Laut Ding, Willich (DE)
10/2024—02/2025
You do not need to worry about what we said. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, Soulangh Artist Village, Tainan (TW)
10/2021
Burn After Reading. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, PMQ Pop-up Gallery (HK)
2025 (upcoming)
from ab to zu. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, 9k-Galerie für Bild Wort Laut Ding, Willich (DE)
10/2024—02/2025
You do not need to worry about what we said. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, Soulangh Artist Village, Tainan (TW)
10/2021
Burn After Reading. Duo Exhibition of Wai Lun Hsu and Lai Ping So, PMQ Pop-up Gallery (HK)
Selected Group Exhibitions
04–11/2023
Sounds Like Print, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
09–10/2022
Art and Signs. Deaf Culture / Hearing Culture, Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai (CN)
10/2018
SUR LES TRACES DES PREMIERS IMPRIMEURS. Goethe Institut, Nancy (FR)
05/2017
EXTENDED goes Hasselt. PXL-MAD, University Hasselt (BE)
01/2017
EXTENDED. Typografische Ausschweifungen. Galerie GutLeut, Mainz (DE)
04/2013
Hanzi-Graphy: Typographic translation between Latin and Chinese characters. Mariko Takagi & Somely So, Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery (HK)
12/2012
Publish: Chino NG, Yingsheung WONG & Somely SO Joint Exhibition, Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery (HK)
06/2011
Eighty Post-eighties – Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
04–11/2023
Sounds Like Print, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
09–10/2022
Art and Signs. Deaf Culture / Hearing Culture, Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai (CN)
10/2018
SUR LES TRACES DES PREMIERS IMPRIMEURS. Goethe Institut, Nancy (FR)
05/2017
EXTENDED goes Hasselt. PXL-MAD, University Hasselt (BE)
01/2017
EXTENDED. Typografische Ausschweifungen. Galerie GutLeut, Mainz (DE)
04/2013
Hanzi-Graphy: Typographic translation between Latin and Chinese characters. Mariko Takagi & Somely So, Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery (HK)
12/2012
Publish: Chino NG, Yingsheung WONG & Somely SO Joint Exhibition, Koo Ming Kown Exhibition Gallery (HK)
06/2011
Eighty Post-eighties – Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University (HK)
Book Presentations
08/2024
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
11/2023
Between Books Art Book Fair, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf (DE)
05/2023
Thousandfold Photobook Fair, Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, Cologne (DE)
04/2023
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
12/2021
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
12/2018
Kowloon City Book Fair, HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, Hong Kong (HK)
08/2024
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
11/2023
Between Books Art Book Fair, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf (DE)
05/2023
Thousandfold Photobook Fair, Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, Cologne (DE)
04/2023
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
12/2021
BOOKED: Art Book Fair, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (HK)
12/2018
Kowloon City Book Fair, HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity, Hong Kong (HK)
Editorial Design Projects
2024
Koon Man Space Inaugural Exhibition (hkipf, HK)
同聲同氣：香港年長女同志口述史 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
WMA Images: Perspectives (WMA, HK)
Things to Come (DCV, DE) ︎︎︎
2023
Event Scores 2 — Ideas between Artist-Parents and Their Kids (Rooftop Institute Limited, HK) ︎︎︎
Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence 危脆生命 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
尚未劇終 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Felix Schramm (Felix Schramm Studio, DE)
The Hunger of the Republic 共和國的饑餓 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2022
Fanatic Heart 狂迷日記 (parasite, HK) ︎︎︎
Why are you here? Warum bist du hier? 點解你會喺度嘅？(Dorothy Wong Ka Chung & Benjamin Ryser, DE)
今日予我我日用糧 Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread 今日の糧を我に与えん (Annie Wan, HK) ︎︎︎
Platform Capitalism 平台資本主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
The Eighth Chinese Merchant and the Disappeared Seamen 第八位中國商人同消失咗嘅海員 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
時候 (jisaam books, HK)
倖存者言 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
翔——雀陸香港 (jisaam books, HK)
翔仔 (jisaam books, HK)
2021
菀彼桑柔 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
Celluloid Comrades: Representations of Male Homosexuality in Contemporary Chinese Cinemas 膠卷同志 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Why Can't You Afford a Home? 為何你買不起房子？(Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2020
Martial Arts Cinema and Hong Kong Modernity: Aesthetics, Representation, Circulation 武俠電影與香港現代性 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2019
For a Left Populism 寫給左翼民粹主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal 卡卡女性主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2018
The Rise of Modern China (Wai Lun Hsu, NL)
玫瑰念珠/2018 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK)
2017
Reduktion der Wirklichkeit (Juergen Staack and Oldenburger Kunstverein, DE) ︎︎︎
2015
A Living Space 可以居——白沙澳鄉 (kaitak, Centre for Research and Development in Visual Arts, HK) ︎︎︎
2014
From the Factories 我們來自工厦 (kaitak, Centre for Research and Development in Visual Arts, HK) ︎︎︎
陽光棧道有多寬 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
生而為人 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
字花 issue #47–52 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
2013
字花 issue #42–46 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK)
2024
Koon Man Space Inaugural Exhibition (hkipf, HK)
同聲同氣：香港年長女同志口述史 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
WMA Images: Perspectives (WMA, HK)
Things to Come (DCV, DE) ︎︎︎
2023
Event Scores 2 — Ideas between Artist-Parents and Their Kids (Rooftop Institute Limited, HK) ︎︎︎
Precarious Life: The Powers of Mourning and Violence 危脆生命 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
尚未劇終 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Felix Schramm (Felix Schramm Studio, DE)
The Hunger of the Republic 共和國的饑餓 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2022
Fanatic Heart 狂迷日記 (parasite, HK) ︎︎︎
Why are you here? Warum bist du hier? 點解你會喺度嘅？(Dorothy Wong Ka Chung & Benjamin Ryser, DE)
今日予我我日用糧 Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread 今日の糧を我に与えん (Annie Wan, HK) ︎︎︎
Platform Capitalism 平台資本主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
The Eighth Chinese Merchant and the Disappeared Seamen 第八位中國商人同消失咗嘅海員 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
時候 (jisaam books, HK)
倖存者言 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
翔——雀陸香港 (jisaam books, HK)
翔仔 (jisaam books, HK)
2021
菀彼桑柔 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
Celluloid Comrades: Representations of Male Homosexuality in Contemporary Chinese Cinemas 膠卷同志 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Why Can't You Afford a Home? 為何你買不起房子？(Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2020
Martial Arts Cinema and Hong Kong Modernity: Aesthetics, Representation, Circulation 武俠電影與香港現代性 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2019
For a Left Populism 寫給左翼民粹主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
Gaga Feminism: Sex, Gender, and the End of Normal 卡卡女性主義 (Typesetter, HK) ︎︎︎
2018
The Rise of Modern China (Wai Lun Hsu, NL)
玫瑰念珠/2018 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK)
2017
Reduktion der Wirklichkeit (Juergen Staack and Oldenburger Kunstverein, DE) ︎︎︎
2015
A Living Space 可以居——白沙澳鄉 (kaitak, Centre for Research and Development in Visual Arts, HK) ︎︎︎
2014
From the Factories 我們來自工厦 (kaitak, Centre for Research and Development in Visual Arts, HK) ︎︎︎
陽光棧道有多寬 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
生而為人 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
字花 issue #47–52 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK) ︎︎︎
2013
字花 issue #42–46 (Spicy Fish Cultural Production Ltd., HK)
Additional Experience
2020–2022
Research Assistant, Typography Research Project e/moji graphy for Dr. Mariko Takagi, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto
2013–2015
Art Director and Designer, kaitak – Centre for Research and Development, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University
2012–2015
Magazine Designer, Hong Kong literary magazine Fleurs des Lettres
2011–2013
Research Assistant, Typography Research Project Hanzi Graphy for Dr. Mariko Takagi, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University
2020–2022
Research Assistant, Typography Research Project e/moji graphy for Dr. Mariko Takagi, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto
2013–2015
Art Director and Designer, kaitak – Centre for Research and Development, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University
2012–2015
Magazine Designer, Hong Kong literary magazine Fleurs des Lettres
2011–2013
Research Assistant, Typography Research Project Hanzi Graphy for Dr. Mariko Takagi, Academy of Visual Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University