In Chicago’s art scene, a remarkable group of AAPI female artists has emerged as trailblazers, shaping the city’s artistic landscape with their unique perspectives and boundless creativity. In this article, I will be introducing you to two exceptional artists and me, each of whom brings her distinctive voice and cultural heritage to the forefront of Chicago’s diverse and dynamic art community. From traditional mediums to innovative expressions, these women are not only pushing boundaries but also weaving their rich cultural narratives into the very fabric of this bustling metropolis. Join us on a journey through the vibrant canvases, sculptures, and installations that embody the essence of AAPI female artistry in Chicago.
Sona Kim
Bio
Sona Kim is a Chicago based Korean artist who was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. Kim’s work explores garments with the relation of an individual’s persona and visual identity. Her art has expanded from wearable garments to paintings and sculptural works that were exhibited in many different cities such as Chicago, Wonju, Seoul, Manila and so on. Kim received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Craft focusing on metalsmithing and Bachelor of Science in Textile, Merchandising and Fashion Design from Seoul National University with the highest distinction and recently received a Master in Design in Fashion, Body and Garment at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
○ Are there any specific memories or experiences from your upbringing that have left a deep impression on your work?
Growing up in a non-Asian environment where I was often the only one who looked and dressed differently, I keenly felt the desire to belong and fit in. This early experience deeply shaped my artistic narrative, with the central theme of my work revolving around the concept of fitting in, drawing inspiration from Aesop’s fable of the “Crow with Borrowed Feathers.” Through my art, I explore the distortion of identity and the concept of defining oneself. My work visualizes the act of mocking one’s surroundings which was a coping mechanism I used to blend into my near community for an acceptance. By this, I wish the viewers to confront the complexities of identity and embrace the act of embodying the identity one desires, no matter how temporary or borrowed it may be.
○ How do you think art can empower the AAPI community, especially in today’s socio-political environment?
Art empowers the AAPI community today by celebrating our rich cultural histories, preserving memory, and amplifying marginalized voices. Art is a universal language that invites us to explore unique narratives and engage in conversations. Through art, AAPI women declare their identities, reminding us that each individual story matters and contributes to our shared history. In a world where history can be rewritten and forgotten, art stands as a permanent testament to the community’s resilience, fostering a sense of belonging, validation, and pride. To further strengthen this vital layer of support, I have proudly founded an officially registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization “HerArt Foundation” to empower the AAPI female artists and remind the world that we are not just part of history but also active creators of it.
Instagram : @her.art_foundation
○ What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects that you’re particularly excited about?
Mainly, I will continue my involvement in the “Unbroken Thread” community artwork project in partnership with KANWIN, delving deeper into the stories of gender-based violence survivors. Currently, I am participating in the Domestic Violence Training with the aim of giving back to the community through volunteering, ideally with KANWIN, an organization that provided warm support during one of the most challenging periods in my life. This training will equip me with the knowledge and empathy needed to better assist those facing similar adversities and hopefully, add a stronger layer to the artwork. Excitingly, I’m also collaborating with Ajumma Rising, a vibrant AAPI community group and I will also be part of a group exhibition in Chicago alongside some incredibly talented AAPI artists, so there’s more to come – stay tuned for updates!
Izzy Cho
Bio
Izzy Cho is an interdisciplinary charm maker based in Chicago, IL. Cho’s work engages with symbolism, semiotics, and visual patterns derived from her Korean American identity often within the context of superstition. Cho is a recipient of the David McCosh Memorial Scholarship in Fine Arts, the Angela and George Paterakis Scholarship, the Margot and Thomas Pritzker Graduate Fellowship, and was chosen as a finalist for the Luminarts Fellowship. Cho received her BFA in Printmaking from the University of Oregon and an MFA in Print Media from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
○ How has your AAPI identity influenced your art and your journey as an artist?
Initially, I used art to understand why I often felt isolated and out of place before I had even heard of the term “diaspora”. For a while I didn’t have the language or research to help contextualize my experiences, so instead I created spaces for myself through sculpture or installation. It was a way to make myself safe environments that were bespoke and still described the liminality I constantly felt.
Now, I feel like I transitioned to using art to learn more about my culture in a personal and contemporary context that makes me happy and my work happy. A lot of my early projects felt a bit unreal, mournful, and wistful when describing my relationship with my culture/identity, but now it feels very celebratory and makes fun of itself more! Haha.
○ How do you weave elements of your cultural background into your artwork?
Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on Korean superstition and incorporating elements from rituals and spiritual objects. There’s been a lot of formal and conceptual study of shapes and illustrations as I look through the books my mom and my sister gave me. Also, just a lot of reflecting/ruminating on the lessons my mom taught me; sometimes quirky (“don’t cut your toenails at night!”) but often thoughtful and based in a game of “generational telephone”, which is just my way of describing how traditions are passed down over time. Ultimately, within my work I try to have a balance between 1) something from research, 2) something from my mom, and 3) something from me.
○ Are there any specific memories or experiences from your upbringing that have left a deep impression on your work?
Hmm. For me, there are no distinct pivotal moments. I think it’s just a landscape of observations and sensory experiences that inform how I make compositional decisions. For instance, the repetition and tessellation of products and produce at the local Asian mart. My grandmother’s wrapping clothes tucked away in stacks in the closet. The ceramic bowls by the window filled with salt.
○ What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or endeavors that you’re particularly excited about?
Honestly, I’m just excited to clean my new studio and get started working again! I make a lot of large “charms” which discuss ideas of protection. I’ve been thinking it would be fun to go on the other end of the scale shift and make a bunch of mini charms and connect them together into a wearable charm chainmail to emphasize the idea of “protection”. Kind of silly, but hopefully in a good way!
Jenny Lee
Bio
Jenny Lee is a multimedia artist primarily working with experimental film/video, projection, installation, sculpture, and performance based in Chicago, IL. Lee deals along with broader binaries such as fake and real, success and failure, and technology and humans. Still dealing with these issues, Lee now applies them along with Lee’s current practice and also studies the use of body, space, time, the feeling of alienated or familiarity, absence or communication, as well as questions about trust between people. Lee was born in Durham, the United States and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She received a BFA in Fine Arts from University of California, Los Angeles in 2018 and a MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the FVNMA department in 2023. Her short films have been screened globally in Chicago, Vancouver, and Seoul.
How has your Asian American / Pacific Islander identity influenced your art and your Journey as an artist?
My Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage has played a vital role in shaping my artistic journey. Growing up in a diverse environment and experiencing the dynamics of long-distance family relationships has profoundly influenced my creative expression. These experiences have driven me to delve into fundamental questions about the concepts of “home” and “ritual,” the intricacies of human relationships, the complexities of communication, and the profound significance of human interactions. I’ve discovered that my identity is not merely a label but a wellspring of inspiration. It enables me to perceive the world through a unique lens, which I incorporate into my art. The sense of both alienation and connection within various cultural contexts has ignited a deep exploration of the human condition, which stands as a central theme in my work.
Can you share a particular piece of art or project that you’re especially proud of, and the story behind it?
Among my most cherished projects is a performance piece I collaborated on with my mother. It represented our first live performance together, symbolizing our reunion after an extended period of separation.At its essence, this project explores the notions of home and belonging. We moved with deliberate slowness, seemingly defying gravity and the passage of time, crafting intricate yet meaningful motions that conveyed both a sense of familiarity and detachment. This really strengthened our connection and also ignited my venture into a series of performance art pieces with my mother.
What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or endeavors that you’re particularly excited about?
I am currently engaged in the process of documenting the life of one of my friends in Korea. My goal is to further explore and deepen my understanding of the significance of person-to-person communication and connection. This project captures the connections that emerge through careful observation of plants and interactions with them. Through these interactions, I aim to reiterate the importance and preciousness of the small, subtle aspects of life. This documentation project will present my work from multiple angles, offering both a documentary version and an installation version.
