Laiwan was born in Harare (Zimbabwe) of Chinese origin. She immigrates to Canada in 1977 to leave the war in Rhodesia. A graduate of Emily Carr College of Art and Design, she started the OR Gallery in 1983 in Vancouver. She has since initiated various curatorial projects, participated in exhibitions in Canada, the US and Europe, and has been involved in community-based volunteer activism. Her book, "distance of distinct vision", was published by the Western Front in 1992. In 1998, her book work and collages were examined in a catalogue published by Articule in Montreal. Her first video, "Remotely in Touch" (1998), has travelled to festivals in Europe and Canada. She recently received her Master of Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. Please visit this website for more information