Dae Uk Kim is a maker who skillfully incorporates his own background and symbolisms into objects that transmit stories of diversity. His mutated objects stand proud on the outskirts of the norm, biologically and socially. His signature style is gentle and sympathetic, using objects as alter egos that express, explain, and fulfil his dreams and desires. By depicting non-human things as beings, he brings the underlying story of suppressed desires to life, which he had to hide while growing up in Korea. Through storytelling, he shapes a seductive kind of narrative that is recognisable for many who feel they must hide a part of themselves. His work actively explores themes like gender expression, race and cultural identity in a deeply personal yet universal form. 

Dae has converted his shame into pride since graduating from Design Academy Eindhoven in 2020. While his MUTANT series can be seen as functional objects (a chandelier, mirror, stool and console), these objects and visual pieces are powerful stand-ins for restricted and silenced voices that exist beyond the limited framework of societal expectations. Dae Uk Kim uses materials that traumatised him growing up, and re-appropriates those objects to re-write his story and celebrate his own pluriformity. In BLOOOMING, he takes a cue from naturally occurring flower mutations to present the elaborate beauty of abnormal growth. His ingenious and rich design is instantly intriguing, elegant and layered: an extremely personal response to a very public system.

daeukkim.com