BongJun Kim: Artist Talk

Join us for an evening with Bongjun Kim to discuss his forty year career as an artist. This event corresponds with Bongjun Kim: A Retrospective which runs December 19, 2024 - January 10, 2025. This artists talk is a ticketed with limited capacity, please purchase your tickets in advance to reserve your spot.

BongJun Kim, Scene of Making Kimchi for Winter, 2024, acrylic on canvas , 550x155cm

About the Exhibition  Following a prolific career employing artwork as a voice for the oppressed, acclaimed Korean social figure and artist, BongJun Kim presents a series of works celebrating historical and contemporary Korean tradition and culture within the context of the world stage. 

Bongjun Kim graduated from Hongik University in 1979 with a degree in sculpture amidst Korea’s political upheaval. His art emerged as a voice against state violence, expressing solidarity with farmers and labor unions while championing peace, human rights, and democracy. After the 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement, where he became a wanted dissident, Kim’s experiences fueled his dedication to art that speaks for the people.

Exploring visual expressions rooted in “Asian brush” techniques and the vibrancy of folk culture, Kim revived Joseon-era aesthetics through Buddhist and folk-inspired artworks, blending tradition with modern narratives. His notable work, The Spring Fight, exhibited in New York, showcases his commitment to democratic ideals and peace.

Now, with a vision of showcasing K-art internationally, Bongjun Kim aims to bring his blend of Korean cultural depth and global modernist influence to the U.S. through diverse media, embodying a unique East-West artistic fusion.