Artist Dan Lam has formed a series of vibrant, free-standing ‘drippy sculptures’ that resemble exotic organic matter seemingly sourced from another planet. Placed on shelves or mounted on walls, the neon-hued artworks form elongated, stretched shapes that ooze off the edges of these surfaces. The sculptural blobs are covered in skin of hard spikes — gradating in color and size — that wrap around the curvaceous anatomy of each object.
From her studio in Dallas, Lam begins by sculpting polyurethane foam on top of a metal framework. These first compositions are informed by motifs and geometries found throughout the human body, flesh, foods and nature. While Lam begins with a loose idea of the sculpture’s physical structure, the unpredictable nature of the foam generates unexpected outcomes guided by gravity, causing the material to form drippy deposits as it settles. The artist then adds many layers of acrylic paint and occasionally resin, depending on the desired finish — matte or gloss.
While these seductive objects are just begging to be touched, held, and closely examined, their uneasy spikes form a dual sensation that both invites and repels viewers at the same time. See more of her drippy sculptures and read more about detailing the making-of ‘thigh gap’ on DesignBoom.com.
Dan Lam was born in the Philippines to Vietnamese refugee parents. The small family made their way to Texas when she was just a baby and established in Houston. Later, she and her mother would move to Dallas, TX.
Always one to follow her intuition and passion, she pursued an academic path in the fine arts. Dan obtained her Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas in the fall of 2010 and went on to a Master’s program in Fine Arts at Arizona State University, graduating in the spring of 2014. Since her March 2014 thesis exhibition Can I Touch at the Harry Wood Gallery in Tempe, AZ, Dan has been busy participating in group shows and producing new work.
Dan Lam has also had the honor of being published twice in New American Paintings, first in the MFA Issue no. 111 as Juror’s Pick, and in the West Region Issue No. 120.
CLIENT WEBSITE: www.ByDanLam.com
PRACTICE AREAS: General Counsel