Meet Kun Kyung Sok | Artist & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kun Kyung Sok and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kun Kyung, how does your business help the community?
I’m a Korean artist currently based in New York. I came here in 2018 to study art and earned my BFA fine art from the School of Visual Arts, graduating with my MFA fine art from the same school this past May. Before that, I studied political science and African studies, working in various parts of Africa to establish community library and develop programs for women and children. Because of this background, I’m deeply interested in people and life, and my community is very important to me. I’m experimenting with integrating daily life and art, and I’m particularly interested in collaboration. By involving people directly in the creative process, rather than having them just be spectators, I aim to give everyone—not just artists—the opportunity to understand and enjoy art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I mentioned, my work is based on life and daily experiences. One project, “My Right Hand and Your Left Hand,” exemplifies this. A year ago, I injured my left arm and couldn’t move my left arm. I almost took a leave of absence, but thanks to the support of my teachers and classmates, I was able to complete a meaningful project. The project involved using my right hand and another person’s left hand to collaborate on activities like cooking, knitting, and painting. I worked with over 20 friends on this project, and it was a fantastic experience that I hope to continue developing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Because of my caregiving responsibilities to parents, I haven’t had much time for leisure activities outside of school. Therefore, my favorite places in New York are the galleries in Chelsea involving my study. While famous museums like the Met and MoMA are wonderful, the galleries in Chelsea offer a unique experience. You can see the latest trends in contemporary art and discover talented, emerging artists and their amazing works. Plus, there’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing coffee at a small cafe while exploring the galleries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Since moving to New York in 2018, I’ve been living with and caring for my parents, who are over 90 years old. This hasn’t left me much time for community activities outside of school. The school community has been a major influence on my daily life, helping me settle into a new place, study a new field, and keep going through tough times. I’m grateful to Chair Mark Tribe, mentor Media Farzin-Rad, and teacher Sohee Koo. I also owe a lot to my Korean-American classmate, Park Chunbum, who has always been there for me during difficult times. He’s a very unique artist with a kind heart and a free spirit, always ready to help others. The faculty, classmates, and Chun have taught me the power of friendship, the importance of relationships, and the value of community.

Website: https://www.kunkyungsok.com/copy-of-main-portfolio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kunsokart/?hl=ko