The mundane, the profound, people, other people's art, all inspire Daniel Lai to create.

“I transform discarded books into sculptures,” he explains. “I make my figures with clay, and I often add other found objects to incorporate into my 3D narrative art. My art conveys stories of my relationships with books, knowledge, and life."

As an immigrant in the US who has studied linguistics, art history, and criminology, Daniel’s art uses metaphors to respond to injustices. “Transcending the limitation of words, the expressions in my three-dimensional work encompass humor, intellect, and a variety of emotions.”