Julia Kwon sews interpretative bojagi—Korean object-wrapping cloths historically created since the early Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910)—and wraps hallow human-scale figures with them to comment on the objectification of Asiatic female bodies. Further, she embeds patterns from contemporary sociopolitical events to challenge the notion of authenticity and examine the complexities of constructing identities within the context of globalism, cultural hybridity, and intersectionality. She also explores community, solidarity, and personal relationship building through collaborative projects such as communal quilting, building a community that shares local artist talks, one-on-one portrait drawing, and print fundraiser that advocate for a more equitable society for all. Julia Kwon earned her MFA at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts/Tufts University and BA in Studio Art at Georgetown University. Her work is included in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC and the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, NM. Her work has been exhibited nationally including art galleries such as the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, The Peale Center at Carroll Museums, Hartnett Gallery of the University of Rochester, and Torpedo Factory Art Center. Kwon won awards such as SMFA at Tufts's Traveling Fellowship as well as artist residencies at Chautauqua School of Art, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Vermont Studio Center, NARS Foundation, Textile Arts Center, among others. Her work has been featured and reviewed internationally, including the Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Korea.net, BmoreArt, Craft Quarterly, The Coastal Post, PBS's WETA Arts, and SBS international news. She presented artist lectures and workshops at Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Museum of International Folk Art, The Phillips Collection, Georgetown University, Lehigh University, University of Rochester, Emerson College, Montgomery College, among others. |
