The Korean Cultural Centre is pleased to present the 4th episode of 2021 Virtual Artist Studio Visit program. This time, we are visiting Joon Hee Kim’s studio in Toronto.

Joon Hee Kim’s work explores the human existence by examining and reconciling diverse identities and heritages, as well as the compelling forces of beauty and desire. She began her artistic journey as a graphic designer working extensively as an art director, and then combined her passion for design with patisserie studies as a chef. All led to becoming intrigued with ceramics at Sheridan College. As a recipient of the Cecil Lewis Sculpture Scholarship, she completed her Master’s degree in Fine art at Chelsea College of Arts in UK before undertaking her professional practice in Europe and Japan. Brimming with personal anecdotes and engaging narratives, her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including a solo exhibition at the Clay and Glass gallery.

Through innovative challenges of daily life she is the recipient of many awards including the Best of Craft and Design and the Best of Ceramics at Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, as well as the winner of the 2020 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics. After receiving grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, she travelled to both national and international artistic residencies to examine her heritage within the lenses of multiple influences. Following the Banff Clay Revival Residency, she became one of the six-selected artists for Canadian Craft Biennial. Then, she attended the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park Residence in Japan, the Ceramic Centre Residency in Berlin, and the Ceramic Artist Exchange Tandem 2019 in Neumünster, Germany.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, artists were removed from their familiar places to present their works when many exhibition spaces were forced to close with no clear idea on when to reopen. Visitors also lost opportunities to meet their favourite artists and be enlightened by their unique perspectives which can be a guiding light in this unprecedented time of isolation.

Considering that social distancing is still a necessary measure to overcome the COVID 19 pandemic, the KCC has prepared a series of virtual artist studio visits that can connect artists with their audiences safely from home. As the first season of the program, we invite prominent Korean-Canadian artists to show us how they spend their time at home and what kind of new works they are envisioning and visualizing. This program is planned to introduce a new episode on the last Thursday of each month.

We hope you enjoy this inspirational excursion.

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