Statement

Since the early 1980s, Grace Lau’s photographic journey through sexuality, gender identity and sado-masochistic subculture has explored a world largely hidden from mainstream view. Fetish Stories brings together a selection of works from a ten-year period in which Lau immersed herself in these subcultures, from her earliest male nudes and documentation of ‘Skin Two’ functions and dominatrices’ dungeons, to her later work exploring cross-dressing and changing ideas around sexuality and identity.

As a photographer of Chinese parentage and a feminist, Grace has often found herself outside the mainstream in the UK. Perhaps this position has contributed to her longstanding interest in the marginalised and the invisible. During her early work around fetishism, bondage and sadomasochism, she immersed herself in the scene, joining underground clubs, parties and events to obtain close-up documentation of the people, atmosphere and action.

“I am delighted that Solaris asked me to show a retrospective of my 1980/90s ‘Fetish Stories’. Following Solaris, the exhibition will be shown at the Bishopsgate Institute who will receive all my archival material from this period to house in their research collections and library.

“That period was an extraordinary journey into the subversive world of fetishism, when I visited specialised clubs and dominatrix dungeons and entered the private lives of ordinary people to document their performative fantasies. ‘Fetish Stories’ is a small selection of what I observed and participated in with my camera.”

Solaris Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Grace Lau.
This forms part of PhotoHastings Festival 2026, of which Grace Lau is a trustee and was a founding director.

5 September – 31 October, Admission Free.
Preview 5 September 6-8pm.
Solaris Print, 76 Norman Rd, St Leonards-on-sea TN38 0EJ.
solarisprint.co.uk |  @solaris_print

Book

Adults in Wonderland – Grace Lau: A Retrospective

Published by Serpent’s Tail
Artist, Grace Lau
Text by Amanda Hopkinson
1997
Softback
120 pages
102 Illustrations including 32 in full coloour
Design by Spark
ISBN: 1852425512, 9781852425517

Out of Print

Selected Exhibitions

• Fetish Stories – Bishopsgate Institute, London – Dates to be confirmed
• Fetish Stories – Solaris Print , St Leonards on-sea – September – October 2026
  This forms part of PhotoHastings Festival 2026, of which Grace Lau is a trustee and was a founding director.
• The 80’s: Photographing Britain (selected works), Tate Britain, London – 2024-25 Group
• Adults in Wonderland – Book Launch, Tom Blau Gallery, London – 1997 Solo
• Submarine Gallery, London – 1987 Solo