Commemorating Margaret Lam and David Yen: Enduring Legacies of Art

From right: Professor Zhiyuan Cong; Andrew Ko, son of Margaret Lam; Pamela L. Ferguson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and President of the University Foundation; Cindy Ho, daughter of Margaret Lam, and her husband

Wayne, NJ — On April 4, 2025, The exhibition "Commemorating Margaret Lam and David Yen: Enduring Legacies of Art," showcased a selection of Margaret Lam’s ink paintings spanning decades of her career.  

Among the 14 meticulously curated works, most are masterpieces by Margaret Lam. Beginning her artistic journey in 1986 under the tutelage of Hu Nientsu (胡念祖), a renowned Lingnan School painter, she mastered both landscape and bird-and-flower painting.  

Hu praised her as “gifted and insightful, embodying the essence of ink.” In the 1990s, she studied with Wu Yi of the Nanjing School and Professor Zhiyuan Cong, creating works hailed for their “dynamic energy and bold expression.” Though Margaret produced countless sketches, this exhibition features nearly all of her signed, self-curated works—a testament to her discerning artistic standards.  

 The exhibition also includes select pieces by her mentors and peers. Regrettably, despite thorough searches by Cindy Ho, Andy Ko, and Prof. Cong, no surviving works by David Yen—who once painted alongside Margaret—could be located. To honor his legacy, the exhibition showcase David’s curated book collection, donated by his son Edward Yen.  

All exhibited artworks, generously donated by Cindy Ho and Andrew Ko, will be auctioned to benefit the Center for Chinese Art Fund at William Paterson University.

Professor Zhiyuan Cong discusses the artistic techniques in Margaret Lam's paintings. 

Professor Zhiyuan Cong, Director of the Center, guided guests through the exhibition, reflecting on Margaret and David’s three-decade journey as cultural stewards. “We extend profound gratitude to the Lam-Yen family for their steadfast support, ensuring Margaret and David’s cultural mission thrives through generations. May visitors here glimpse not just brushstrokes and pigments, but the abiding dedication of two souls who devoted their lives to elevating Chinese art.” he remarked.


Professor Zhiyuan Cong show guests David Yen’s book collection. 

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06/26/25