2016 Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Dan Lam's Extraordinarily Captivating Sculptures

Compliments from Dan Lam.

Meet artist Dan Lam.

When I asked Dan Lam how important she thinks social media is to today's artists, she paused and pointed out that we wouldn't be talking if it weren't for Instagram. And it is true.

I connected with Dan Lam (aka) on Instagram a while ago and over the last year or so have watched her career skyrocket. While I was initially drawn to the amorphous, tangible, vibrant sculptures that ooze from bookshelves and look like surreal pets, I was also interested in watching the young artist's social media career soar.

Just two years after graduating from an MFA program at Arizona State, Lam attributes her ability to be a full-time artist right now to her Instagram success. Last year, she did several residencies (most recently at Fort Works Art), gained gallery representation, and landed a spot at Art Basel Miami.

So it shouldn't have been all that shocking when I stumbled upon one of Lam's works on Miley Cyrus' Instagram (I now admit I follow her religiously). But when you see one of your favorite emerging artists work on one of pop star's biggest tapes, it makes you wonder, "How did this happen?"

In between her busy production schedule, I had the opportunity to ask Dan Lam not only about how it came about, but also about her process, her first business steps, and what it means to be a social media artist today. Check this:

AA: Let's start with the basics... why drops and drops?

DL: I've always been attracted to his softness. One of my favorite artists has always been Claes Oldenburg and the artists who worked with these forms - something about soft sculpture hooked me.

If I had to guess, it might have to do with exploring the idea of ​​something solid yet giving the illusion of softness or movement through time.

AA: Could you describe your process a bit?

DL: First, I experiment a lot. Drops and drops start with liquid two-component foam. When you mix it together it starts to expand. The best thing about this stuff is that you have no control over it. The way he expands it into material.

I pour foam and let it dry. Then I usually cover it with acrylic paint, usually a bright color, and let it dry. Then I apply spikes (it takes a day). Then I apply epoxy and add iridescent materials like glitter or rhinestones.

AA: What was your first experience with Art Basel Miami Beach?

DL: That was the best… just… marvelous. I heard people talking about Art Basel every year and it seemed like a big deal. To achieve this has always been my personal goal. A lot of people have told me how crazy it is, and it's all true.

What I liked the most was that I saw a lot of art and met a lot of artists. It was like an art camp. As an artist, you're alone in your studio for over 300 days a year, and then all of a sudden for a week you get to spend a lot of time with people who also spend a lot of time alone, and you just get each other on a fundamental level.

Filling Dan Lam.

AA: You have just completed your master's degree and have already made good progress. How did your first year after graduating from the Foreign Ministry look like?

DL: When I graduated from Arizona State University in 2014, I moved to Midland, Texas with my boyfriend. It's a wilderness, and all there is oil - the whole city revolves around oil. While living there, I had the opportunity to teach at a community college and had the financial freedom to focus on art right out of art school.

You hear so many stories of artists graduating and engrossed in day jobs out of necessity. I remembered all these stories and this information and continued to do things.

Mostly I did things that were exercises that might not lead to anything. This is the year I decided to go to Instagram and post and see how to connect. I wanted to see what social networks are capable of. I used the year to focus on my new job and focus on social media.

Right before we moved in, I made my first drip sculpture. Even though my wall decorations started getting more attention and I started getting more interviews and performances - the little drops made me explode. 2016 just exploded; I had many opportunities for exhibitions and galleries approaching me.  

It's so different from what it was a few years ago. Now people are contacting me. Whereas a few years ago I was going to open calls. It was completely unexpected and I am so happy to find a way to connect with so many people.

AA: What was the most unexpected thing about this experience as an aspiring artist? 

DL: Most importantly, I'm now a full-time artist. That two years after graduate school, I could be a full-time artist. Especially after Basel, I just keep thinking, "How?" I never thought that I would interact with celebrities. Never thought Miley Cyrus would get my job.

AA: Yes, so how did it all happen?

DL: Wayne Coyne [of the Flaming Lips] started following me and then maybe a month later Miley Cyrus started following me. Due to the fact that my Instagram account is growing very fast, I miss a lot of things. A month later, Miley DMed me on Instagram and said, “Hey girl, I have an art installation at home and I wanted to see if you would like to participate.” I had to make sure once again that I was not being deceived.

This was my first business move. When she contacted me she told me about this room she had with a disco piano and a money wall and once that was done she planned to team up with Imprint or Paper Magazine and they planned to photograph it and write about it. She didn't say, "I want to buy a piece." She asked if I wanted to participate.

I asked a bunch of people and some people said she should pay and some people said she has 50 million subscribers. I went ahead and sent the part to her knowing that with so many subscribers she would come back. Over time, the possibilities have increased. The same thing happened with Lilly Aldridge. I only later found out that sometimes people pay 100k for a post on large accounts. It's definitely more valuable in the long run.

All black, Dan Lam. 

AA: You have a significant social presence. How important do you think social media is for contemporary artists?

DL: I think it's very important. If you're an artist and don't use it, you're not necessarily hurting yourself, but you're not helping yourself either. The real thing about Instagram is connecting with other artists. You go to Instagram, social networks and find another artist that you admire - you start talking, collaborating and trading. It's like networking, but in your circle.

Also, the mere impact of the eyes on your work is enormous. I wouldn't be a full-time artist right now if it wasn't for Instagram. This is a super valuable tool. Instagram galleries are also connected.

It is a powerful tool for the art world.

AA: What advice would you give to other artists looking to build their online reputation?

DL: I think from my point of view, approach it however you want. What does your intuition tell you? There are PR people who tell you to do this or that or whatever. But if you want an artist's voice to be clear, even the way you post reflects that. Do what you do and keep it"you".

I personally keep my Instagram very carefully and keep it about work. I don't often write about myself. It helps keep things separate. I don't want my feed to be about how I look or who I am. I think that's why a lot of people thought I was a guy for a while, both because of my name and because of my lack of a face.

Taking good pictures is the most important thing. Get good lighting. I take mine with my phone and natural light.

AA: Any ideas for artists who want to make a big splash with social media?

DL: Use a tool to actually connect and make connections. If you follow each other and want to connect, write to them and subscribe. You never know what will happen. Help each other. Say, “Oh, I know there is a gallery that you would fit in well. You never know what might happen on the road."

I also feel that images should have a certain aesthetic. There are things that are more popular than others. For example, when I post glitter, many users always like it. You can definitely do something to attract other people, but only do it if it already fits into your job. It's a weird blurry line because you don't want to post something just for likes, but also if you want to grow your subscriber base, right?

AA: As the year draws to a close, we ask artists what they wish for 2017 for other artists, people and the world in general. Do you have a desire that you would like to see?

DL: I think artists need to keep doing what they're doing and maybe even more. Our country is in a kind of crazy state right now and I know a lot of artists who are asking, "What should we do?" I think art is extremely important and we can't refuse. I hope they don't let the current social climate take that away from him.

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