Heiyi Tam is a Hong Kong-born artist based in London.

Her practice explores impermanence, childhood memories, and the sensorial qualities of flavours. Working intuitively, Tam composes her abstract paintings through layered washes and gestural mark-making, often accented by her signature organic, bean-like forms. She draws on poetry and flavours to create ‘reimagined memories and stories’ through playful, narrative-driven imagery — such as looking for Easter eggs, hungry crocodiles, and cereal box puzzles.

Born and raised in Hong Kong before moving to the UK at 15, Tam’s work reflects the subtleties of the cultural interplay of East and West through landscapes and cuisines. Her paintings are distinguished by metaphorical imagery and narratives reflected in their titles, inspired by memories, diary entries, and everyday encounters.

With a background in Philosophy and Psychology, Tam is drawn to perception, memory, and the imagined. Her work explores the intangible qualities of fleeting experiences, creating spaces where the every day can slip into the surreal. 

Tam was recognised by curator Lee Sharrock as one of the rising stars of 2023. She has since received international recognition, including as a finalist for the Gilchrist-Fisher Award 2026, a leading UK prize for emerging painters, shortlisted for the 14th Edition of The Signature Art Prize, and longlisted for ArtEvol 2025: Voices From The Undefined at Saatchi Gallery, London. She was also a finalist for The Hari Art Prize (London) in 2024, judged by a panel including senior figures from White Cube and Collective Ending. Earlier notable accolades include winning The Other Art Fair: New Futures Award (2023), runner-up in the Tiepolo Blue Art Prize (2022, judged by James Cahill and Maggi Hambling CBE), and placing in the Top 4 of the Landmark Art Prize (2022). Tam holds an MA in Art and Science from Central Saint Martins, graduating with First Class Honours in 2023.

Recent exhibitions include Housewarming, 3812 Gallery, Hong Kong, The Treasure Art Fair with 3812 Gallery, London, and ADDENDUM, No. 20 Arts Gallery, London, UK.