DALLAS UNFRAMED: DAN LAM ON THE CITY’S EVOLVING ART SCENE
In the heart of Dallas, artist Dan Lam has established her own surreal world. Known for her mind-bending sculptures that ooze, drip, and nearly slither, Lam’s work bridges the visceral and the sublime, inviting viewers to indulge in their innate curiosity. With roots in Vietnam but now firmly embedded in Texas, Lam wields an unexpected toolkit—polyurethane foam, acrylic paint, and epoxy resin—to conjure creatures that seem plucked from a psychedelic fever dream. Her sculptures pulse with neon hues and ooze across their platforms, unapologetically inhabiting space with an intriguing blend of allure and revulsion.
As an artist in Dallas, Lam’s work reflects a city that’s evolving into a vital player on the international art scene. Her bold approach and ambitious collaborations with the likes of Facebook, Virgin, and the avant-garde art collective Meow Wolf have placed her alongside the industry’s visionaries, making her a name that resonates beyond the studio walls. From galleries in Paris to immersive exhibitions in San Francisco, her playful, almost extraterrestrial sculptures resonate worldwide. Yet, it’s here in Dallas—where she studied and continues to live—that Lam finds a constant wellspring of inspiration. Through her work, she’s staking her claim as part of Dallas’s new cultural landscape, one drip at a time.
“The Dallas art scene is evolving, and it’s thrilling to be a part of that,” Lam shares. She describes the energy of the Tin District, a neighbourhood where over 60 artists work side by side. “There’s this incredible sense of community,” she says. It’s a space that nurtures creativity and experimentation, and she sees this reflected in the wider Dallas art scene as well. More and more, the city is embracing alternative and unconventional venues. Pop-up exhibitions, outdoor installations, and interactive spaces are on the rise, making Dallas a place where immersive and exploratory art feels right at home. Lam feels this shift strongly aligns with her creative ethos, which is all about engaging audiences in new and unexpected ways.
Certain spaces in Dallas continually inspire her. Dallas Contemporary is one such place, known for showcasing bold, boundary-pushing work that resonates with Lam’s aesthetic. “I’m always inspired by the exhibitions they put on,” she says, noting how they bring international art movements into a local context. Another favourite is the Nasher Sculpture Center, which Lam describes as a gem for sculptors. Its indoor-outdoor exhibitions encourage viewers to consider sculpture in new ways, sparking Lam’s creative curiosity. When it comes to producing and exhibiting her work, she gravitates toward authentic, raw spaces like 500x Gallery. With a strong history of supporting experimental work, this artist-run space provides a platform that’s accessible to both emerging and established artists alike. Lam also finds inspiration at Sweet Pass Sculpture Park, an outdoor venue that supports larger-scale installations, allowing artists the freedom to think big and bold.
For Lam, the prospect of creating monumental public art in Dallas is a thrilling one. Known for her smaller, tactile sculptures, she’s intrigued by the idea of scaling up her work and bringing it into the public sphere. “The idea of transforming my typically small, tactile sculptures into something monumental and public is very intriguing,” she explains. Imagining a piece in Klyde Warren Park, Lam describes a vision of oversized, organic forms—“blobs or drips” that interact with the surrounding space in playful and unexpected ways. “It would create an experience that’s both surreal and inviting,” she says, “something that people could engage with during their daily routines.” It’s a vision of public art that challenges traditional boundaries, merging her love for organic forms with the urban landscape.
Social media has been a powerful tool for Lam, connecting her with a global audience and strengthening her ties to the local Dallas art community. With over a million followers across Instagram and TikTok, she has witnessed firsthand how digital platforms can transform the way people engage with art. “When locals recognize my work from social media, there’s this shared sense of pride,” she explains, describing how people in Dallas appreciate seeing one of their own gaining international attention. For Lam, social media isn’t just a tool for promotion; it’s a way to create deeper connections between the digital and physical realms of her art. She notes that this digital influence is shaping the local art scene as well, with artists in Dallas using these platforms to build audiences and foster a dynamic, interconnected community.
Looking ahead, Lam has ambitious dreams for a future project that transcends the traditional gallery space. She envisions an exhibition set in an abandoned industrial area near the Trinity River. The goal? To create an “otherworldly environment” that immerses visitors in a landscape of large, colourful, interactive forms. “It would blur the lines between art and the surrounding environment,” she says, describing a mix of sculpture and installation that invites viewers to move through, touch, and experience her work up close. For Lam, this isn’t just about creating an exhibition; it’s about redefining how people interact with art, encouraging them to step into a world where the boundaries between life and art are delightfully blurred.
If Lam were to introduce a newcomer to the Dallas art scene, her ideal day would start with a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art, where global and local works coexist. A stroll to Klyde Warren Park would follow, with a quick bite from one of the food trucks before heading to the Nasher Sculpture Center. Afterwards, they’d venture into Deep Ellum, a neighbourhood buzzing with creative energy. Here, they’d stop at Pecan Lodge for a BBQ lunch before wandering the area to admire street art and local galleries. To round out the day, Lam would take them to Uchi for dinner, a culinary experience that’s as artful as it is delicious. “That mix of art, culture, and food captures what I love about Dallas,” she says, describing a city that balances rich traditions with a spirit of creative innovation.
For Dan Lam, Dallas is a city ripe with possibility, where art is moving beyond conventional spaces and redefining its role in the public sphere. As the city continues to expand its cultural footprint, Lam remains at the forefront of this evolution, contributing to a landscape that is vibrant, experimental, and ever-evolving. In a city ready to support and showcase innovation, Lam is helping to shape Dallas’s identity as a place where artists and audiences alike can break new ground and embrace the unexpected.
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