Dahm Lee
What’s your name and where are you from/based?
My name is Dahm Lee and I’m an object artist. I lived in Germany for 15 years and am now mainly based in South Korea, with ongoing work and life between Seoul and Berlin.
Can you describe what you do in a few words?
I bend and bend and bend, layer and layer the steel rods— repeating this process and adjusting the scale and rhythm to create diverse structural forms.
You mention your process is both intuitive and structured, how do those two coexist while you’re making a piece?
My process starts with structural planning — I calculate angles and curves before bending. But as I layer the steel rods, I respond to the form as it evolves. If a more interesting direction comes up, I adapt. It´s a dynamic process where structure and intuition continuously work together.
Your MMM series, ‘massive metallic mass’ uses the same bending and layering technique across pieces of different sizes and uses. Do you feel like that repetition is saying something, or is it more about exploring what the technique can do?
At the beginning it was more about exploring the possibilities of what this ‚repetition‘ could create. But over time, it became an attitude toward the way I work: focused, quiet, and steady.
Was there something that inspired this style?
It probably started with my earlier work. I used to bend a single steel rod to construct a stool, but I slowly got more interested in working with volume. So, I began layering those bent rods one by one, and that led to this style.
What excites you most about the sculptural potential of metal, and what do you think people often misunderstand about it?
What excites me most is the variation that comes from bending and adjusting each steel rod. It allows me to create shapes that grow or shrink with a flowing rhythm. And the textured surface that comes from layering steel rods also offers a unique visual experience, giving the work a sense of shimmer and flow.
People often see metal as cold, hard, and industrial. But to me, it holds warmth, tactility, and expressive possibilities beyond that.
Has anyone ever used one of your pieces differently than you imagined?
Honestly, my imagination is pretty wide, so no one has surprised me yet — but I’m definitely waiting for that moment! 🙂
How do you feel about the idea of recognizability in art and design?
I think recognizability in art and design can be both interesting and tricky. It helps build a strong identity but can sometimes feel limiting. Personally, I enjoy recognizing other artists’ works—it’s fun to notice small details and guess who made them. I also like the idea of people recognizing my work, but I try to stay open so that recognizability doesn’t become a fixed expectation.
Are there any other techniques you’re curious to explore in the future?
I’m curious about casting— melting and shaping metal— or even upholstery. I’m interested in the variety of colours that textiles offer and their soft textures, so it would be interesting to see how these can blend with metal´s solidity.
Where can people find you?
you can find me on instagram @dahm.lee
and on my website www.stu-d-io.de
