CURATOR HIGHLIGHT - INTERVIEW WITH ARTIST DAE LEE (@DAEIZM)
Today I am sharing an interview with writer/artist Dae Lee, also known as DAEIZM. I chose to highlight Dae because he is one of the most authentic young writers I’ve come across over the years. His vulnerability, honesty and transparency is refreshing and admirable. I started following him a few years ago via social media when I lived in Los Angeles and I’ve been connected to his work ever since. Writing is such a personal form of art, it’s letting others into your heart and mind. To me, his words have so much depth and relatability. It is important for writers of color to have courage when creating art, and Dae is the perfect example of that. I thought it would be nice to get to know Dae more as a human instead of just an artist. Let’s jump right into the interview.
LadyFox - I’ve known you as an amazing writer for many years, and recently discovered your podcast Entropy & Dae (which I love), do you have any other artistic outlets we should know about?
Dae - Thank you so much! I really appreciate your work! I also make digital illustrations, as well as edit and design on the side. My book cover along with 2 others were designed by me.
LadyFox - What are some of the feelings that are attached to releasing something as big as a book ? - sharing something so sacred with the world ?
Dae - A lot of it was in the name of both purpose and vulnerability. For me, that was something on my mind for quite a bit, becoming an author. It took years and a lot of changes in my life for it to come to fruition, but the writing took - I would say maybe a year and a half. A lot of it, just like pretty much all of my work comes from a need to release and find a cathartic solution. It’s scary — but at the same time, I work on not thinking about how others receive it and how it stacks against other people’s works. You really just have to do it for yourself cause the rest of it is just a bonus.
LadyFox -Do you remember the moment or chapter of your life when you realized that writing was something you needed to do ?
Dae- Writing has always been In my life, from storytelling, journaling to poetry and prose. I always look to understand my feelings and thoughts better through writing ,so it was really natural for me to a point that I didn’t always gravitate to the idea of pursuing it professionally until I was 21. I wanted to write something, but was busy working and felt I wouldn't have the time to actualize it until later in life. But once I got injured on the job, it changed the direction of my life in a way that sort of forced the time onto me; and here we are.
LadyFox -What are three songs you listen to on a consistent basis ?
Dae -That’s a tough one, i’m always listening to music because I enjoy making playlists— I’d go with “It’s Whatever” by Jean Deaux, “N Side” by Steve Lacy, and “RIP Fredo” by Playboi Carti ft Young Nudy. I also play The Internet every day and Frank, Smino, Iman Omari, Burna Boy, Ari Lennox, Knxwledge., Chynna, Earl Sweatshirt and BbyMutha. along with so many others, I couldn’t stick to three, haha.
LadyFox- This is a question I ask a lot but, - What does a perfect day look like for you ?
Dae- A perfect day for me is new music, great herb, creative & physical energy to make something new.
LadyFox -What is your definition of love ?
Dae -Intentional action meeting care, trust, sincerity and autonomy.
LadyFox -What is your favorite thing about being a Pisces ? (I'm a Pisces too- shoutout to us)
Dae- Shoutout to Pisces! And I think our capacity to care is one of my favorite things about us. A lot of people don’t know that we’re pretty enigmatic when it comes to our personality types. We can be just as cold as we are warm, just as selfish as we are giving, so I guess both our capacity to care and ability to adapt and transform.
LadyFox -What does community mean to you ? Do you realize that you are influencing the community with your art ? (This is a two for one)
Dae -Community for me means both creating and holding space for others to water and cultivate each other. and thank you for thinking so! Haha —I feel like one of my purposes here is to show people that they can make space(s) to explore their vulnerability, emotionally and creatively— and still feel like themselves, because all of this is a part of us. I think it’s important that we find ways to articulate our feelings even if it’s just for ourselves.
LadyFox- What are some of your go-to self care rituals ?
Dae- My go to is always to focus on my breath and make sure that I’m breathing through my diaphragm correctly. If I’m able to, I just like to be to myself and put the music on shuffle, whether it’s a playlist I just made and I’m still working on or I’m searching for something new and diving into their world. if it’s during the night time I usually like to sit outside and just look into the sky whether it’s the moon or just planes passing by, (there’s always planes passing by in Inglewood). I like the way the air feels at night, it’s very calming and if I have the chance, I go to a beach for it to feel even better. After that I like to indulge in finding different music to listen to or finding different anime to watch.
LadyFox -What is your experience as a black creative in the present day ?
Dae- As a black creative I’d say there’s a need for me to be both aware and autonomous. So many of us are here and serve different purposes and I think it’s best to find our calling in our contributions. They’re not always monolithic, but they all can matter. My desire is to always work closely with other black creatives but also knowing that there are nuances within each community is even more important to know what speaks to you.
LadyFox- I love reading your words that speak of love. What are three things you look for in a partner?
Dae -With any partner I’m always looking for an honest and deep connection that respects and celebrates each other. I’m grateful to have that, and also have the love to express it and also share and experience that with others.
LadyFox -Where are you from/based ?
Dae- I’m from the LA area, primarily in Inglewood. My family is from this area (Inglewood) so I moved back here about six years ago and it’s been Home since.
LadyFox -What is something that can make you smile, without a doubt ?
Dae -a baby laughing and trying to walk but falling down. Guaranteed to make me laugh every single time. Or a cat video, and if they’re fighting a person its over, haha.
LadyFox- What is your favorite snack ?
Dae- My favorite snack is Snickers. Only the 2-in-1, haha.
or Pineapple.
LadyFox- Last but not least, what is the best way to support you ? Buying your work? Listening to your podcast ? Reposting your words ? Let us know.
Dae - All of the above ! Find me on Instagram: @Daeizm
My Podcast, “Entropy & Dae”, where I talk about emotions if you’re into that is available on Apple Podcast & Spotify, or the Anchor app!
For my poetry book, MARIGOLD, as well as poetry prints for sale—you can find it on: daeizm.bigcartel.com
I hope you guys enjoyed this interview and feel a little closer to Dae. Thank you again for sharing and being so open. I can’t wait to see the things you have in store for the future. Stay tuned for the next curator highlight !