Interview with Multidisciplinary Artist David Lee

Drawing on his interest in both art and design, David Lee’s practice regularly delves into the grey areas between the two disciplines. Much of the work he ​produces seeks to explore the untapped potential of familiar materials, encouraging them to behave in unfamiliar ways. ​This often requires ​disregarding conventional practice in art & design and ​introducing a dose of chaos into what are typically very structured processes. To the artist, experiment is an essential element in his creative process, and one that he relies on to transcend the limits of imagination.

David Lee has established a career as an artist and designer. ​He has also completed his solo exhibition and several commissions ​for ​private collectors and spaces. His work was also featured during the Singapore Design Week and on publications including – CNN Style, Dezeen, Architectural Digest Design Anthology,​Confession Magazine and also won several awards including the International Design Award. Asia Designers Directory connects with David Lee, the founder of I Am Not David Lee Studio, to learn more about his designs.

You describe yourself as a contemplating artist. Can you share with us more about your work?

I am an inquisitive person by nature, so I am constantly “contemplating”. My work is the result of my thoughts, the process of thinking for a solution leads to an idea, then thinking of ways to develop that idea and how to work around that idea. This process makes me a “contemplating” artist.

Your works have been displayed in international exhibitions. One of the latest collections to be displayed are “Ugly Ducting” and “Ethereal” collections. What inspires and motivates you to create these collections?

I started an experimental centre within my art studio to focus on creative experiments. I would devote two full days each week focused on designing and constructing objects based on alternative use of materials and simplicity in design. I feel design should be simple and not complicated.

To date, I have made about 10 different prototypes, ranging from sculptures, lamps, chairs, and other objects. Two of the prototypes, “Ugly Ducting” and “Ethereal” were showcased at the recent Singapore Design Week Emerge@FIND.

“Ugly Ducting” was created by turning washing machine ducts into lamps, by inserting LED strips into the flexible hoses before bending them into unique shapes. The resulting sculptural forms often take the form of “scribbles”. The lamp can be ceiling fixtures to create the appearance that they are floating.

Ethereal’s shape was inspired by carton boxes. I wondered how I could shape chairs out of carton boxes such that they appear simple, yet visually stunning. To enhance its visual, I incorporated acrylic as the core material into the design.

What’s your creative process?

I am an inquisitive person, so my creative process is through my daily observations of objects, things, and people, and then finding a solution or alternative to these observations.