Gauen (Chloel Kim

Tell us your art story. You may consider the following: How has art impacted your
life? How has your interest in art evolved? How have you grown as an artist?

Early in my Junior year, I faced racial harassment. It was less than a year since I moved
from South Korea to the US. It was the first time I actually realized that i could be hated
by someone only because of who I am. This event tore down the prevailing notions that I
held of myself and surroundings. i lost pride in myself. I was ashamed that I am an
Asian girl who can?t even speak English well enough to defend myself. With fear,
emptiness, anger, and worthlessness, i felt as though I was wearing an oversized damp
coat ail the time. However, this event triggered me to contemplate my honest self, one
that is not forced by anyone, and what voice I have as an artist. Discomfort and lack of
experience sparked within me both chalienge and inspiration. It brought me into new
interest in abstract art, free writing, French New Wave films, and philosophy of
absurdism by Albert Camus. I was strongly intrigued by the art and films that discuss
insecurity, the absurdity of the society that we have created, and the journey to find an
authentic self. White pursue these interests, it has helped me to understand the power
of art that brings peOpIe together?even if the artwork deais with personal struggles that
are extremeiy private, it creates a safe boundary for anyone to share their stories. I
found abstraction to be a perfect way to actively reflect on my experiences. I explored
the symbolism and the narrative to tell my story with bold texture and coior to express
the emotion. The more I confess my honest feelings and experiences through art, the
more it turned into a foothold to devel0p individuality and know what art means to me.
Now, art has become a tool to fight against my personal struggles, and avoid mindlessly
accepting the status quo. This process has been really painfui and exhausting, and it is
daunting when I think of the challenges ahead of me. it might leave me with a terrible
scar, however, I know that it is not simpiy a pain but an opportunity to discover a new
aspect of myself and be stronger.

What do you believe are your greatest artistic accomplishments?

One of my greatest accomplishment as an artist is a recognition that I got from 2018
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. It was very meaningful especially because I got this
recognition white I was so insecure about myself and art after migration from South
Korea. I reaiized that there?s someone who cares about my art and my work could affect
many. In addition, I exhibited my artwork during the 2018 Portland Open Studios Tour
event. While working with locai fiber artist, explored a new medium and way to create
artwork. Also, I learned so many skilis about exhibiting work in a professional manner.
This experience made me start to think about how to effectively organize and present
my works. Throughout the Open Studios tour event, I had an opportunity to meet and
share a love of art with many local artists. My participation to the local
community by bringing diverse voice and I could hear stories from people i never met
before.

What are your artistic goals for the future and how would this scholarship help
you to achieve them?

My short term goal is attending a four-year coliege pursuing visual arts. I am stili

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deciding which Specific major I will be in, but my current interest is primarily fine arts. I
look forward to learning visual arts more in-depth and study in the bigger community
interacting with new people. I?m most excited about taking classes such as film
production, printmaking, and computer graphic design because I have not experienced
much with these areas of art. After graduating from college, I want to start my career by
working at the studio, assisting professionai artist while keeping up with my own art
projects. I think this job would be a good fit for me because I work better within an
interactive workplace. I want to experience a field that requires an active collaboration of
peeple and skills. I beiieve it wouid help me run my own studio in the future by learning
to communicate and work together with various people. At the end of the coliege student
life, my ultimate goat is to have a solid basis in order to become an independent full-time
artist. However, in order to make my artistic goals and ambition come true, I need
financial support to afford a college education. This Opportunity that Beaverton Arts
Foundation provides is crucial for me. My pursuit as a visual artist is not merely seif?
realization. it is a journey that will inspire and encourage other young women artists and
people who fight against racism and sociat inequalities to pursue their own purpose of
life no matter what struggle they might encounter.