Julie Kim

 Artist Statement:

Resilience does not always manifest in a powerful, uphill battle. Quiet moments of reflection, often through painting, have helped me to arrive at my most resilient self. By taking a breath, I find love in the people, places, and passions around me. These pieces are a testament to the self love we grow during hardship which becomes the strength to move forward.

“seasick, homesick”: This interior of a subway submerged in a pink ocean was initially meant to embody a shelter that would protect me against the tides of loneliness and homesickness that I was experiencing at the time. It became a liberating haven in which to express my emotions, become in touch with my fears, and reflect on my identity as an artist.

“Mom”: My mother faced the two biggest changes in her life at once in her late twenties: giving up her life in South Korea to move to Chicago with my dad, and giving birth to me. She adapted to a new world despite the challenges of learning a new language, and sacrificed her freedom and youth to conquer new responsibilities of motherhood and raise me with unconditional love. I celebrate my mother’s resilience in her journey of self-identity. This is a love letter to her, and an eternalization of the youth that still lives in her.

“Cold Shower”: Moments of solitude in a place that invites prolonged thoughts, raw emotion, and intimacy with the self have always ignited healing, discoveries, and lasting fuel to continue on.