Brian Van Lau is a self-taught photographer currently based between Honolulu, HI and Los Angeles, CA.
His work is about finding fictitious evidence.
He is available for commissions, assignments, lectures, and print inquiries.
Founder of arcanite-pictures.
Selected Interviews/Features:
Bryan Birks: Analog Artisans (YouTube Documentary)
Innovate Grant Award Interview
Selected Exhibitions/Shows:
Photographic Center Northwest, Lens Flair, 2024, group show
Blue Sky Gallery, Pacific Northwest Drawers 2024, group exhibition
Reverie Gallery, Northwind Art School, 2024, group show
Hō ʻ ikeākea Gallery at Leeward Community College, Float On, curated by Phil Jung, group show
Arcanite Pictures, Precious Bodies, curator, online exhibition
Arcanite Pictures, The Community, curator, online exhibition
Select Awards and Residencies:
Penumbra Workspace Residency, 2025
Aperture x Google Creator Lab Grant (Recipient), 2024
Hopper Prize (Shortlisted), 2024
Innovate Grant Award (Winner), 2023
Aperture Portfolio Prize (Runner-up), 2023
New York Times Portfolio Review (Selected Participant), 2023
Urbanautica Institute Awards (Winner), 2022
Critical Mass, Photolucida (Finalist), 2021
Open Doors Photo Prize (Shortlist), 2021
Lucie Foundation, ChromaXLuxe Fine Arts Scholarship, (Shortlisted), 2019
Artist's Talks/Lectures:
Northwind Art School, November 2023
Artist Books:
Olympic, self-published zine (edition of 30)
We Shared the Same Color That Evening, self-published (edition of 15)
A New Hope, self-published (edition of 20)
In print:
Upstreams Deadfalls, Deadfall Press, 2023
Booooooooom Magic Hour
Urbanautica Catalogue
Commissions:
The Atlantic "Los Angeles' Ash Problem," January 19th, 2025
The Atlantic "The Place I Grew Up is Gone," January 16th, 2025
New York Times "How to Keep Your Own Soul Safe in the Dark," December 9th, 2024
New York Times "Sleepless in Seattle as a Hellcat Roars Through the Streets," May 29th, 2024
New York Times "Is It Possible to Buy a House in Your 20s? Yes, but Only With Some Help.," August 5th, 2023
Willamette Weekly "Oregon’s Parole Board Is Close to Releasing an Aging Contract Killer. Should His Targets Still Fear Him?" January 11th, 2023