Cultural Identity Expression

Soju Cat, 2022

Despite Collection 2023

Toby Kim

Parsons School of Design at The New School

5,000.00 USD

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The Back Story

Soju Cat

Despite Collection 2023

“Soju Cat” depicts alcohol use within my Korean-American family. The blue cat and soju bottle are motifs that represent the Korean side of my identity that suppressed expression and feelings behind alcohol. After my aunt’s passing, there was a period of introspection into how alcohol played a role in my life. It was a recurring theme of suppression to become numb and avoid feelings. My aunt found comfort in alcohol and hid behind a wall where she bottled her feelings, emotions, and voice. This painting helped me overcome addiction and gave me purpose in life.

* This creation has an inner frame

The Creator

Toby Kim

Specialization/Major

Integrated Design

Graduation Year

2022

Location

United States

About

Toby Kim is a mixed- media artist (illustrator, bookmaker, photographer, home cook, knitter, and screen printer) based in NYC. Growing up in Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Shanghai, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, and New York City, she is inspired by a diverse group of communities that she reflects on within her projects. Recently graduated from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Integrated Design, Toby continues to create bodies of work inspired by her Korean-American heritage and upbringing. In which she deconstructs her cultural identity and representation as an individual. She documents her work by utilizing mind maps, observations, and sketches to apply an introspective element to her making process.

Go to Toby Kim's page

Features

Imperial

Metric

Measurements (Width X Height X Depth)

37 X 37 X 1.5 in

93.98 X 93.98 X 3.81 Cm

Weight

7 lb

3.18 Kg

Materials

Acrylic and gesso on canvas

The Process

The creation of Soju Cat was an opportunity to channel emotion and grief as an artist. That experience allowed me to understand the effort and constant hard work going through the emotional process to catharsis. One of the most memorable experiences was exhibiting this painting at Shopify New York and Arsonson Gallery and feeling pure joy having the chance to have my work shown. From the beginning and to the end of the process of making “Soju Cat”, it empowered me to become a conscious artist when it came to representing my own culture.