About

Soju Cat is the depiction of how alcohol can be used within my Korean heritage. The soju bottle is one of my motifs in my work that represents the Korean side of my identity to suppress expression and emotion. After my aunt's passing during Covid, there was a period of introspection into how substance played a role in my own life. Furthermore it was a recurring theme of suppression in many Korean upbringings to become numb and avoidant of one's feelings. The Soju Cat encapsulates the comfort found through alcohol and by painting this release a voice and feeling one could not say with words.

Specs

2022, 36 ½ x 36 ½ x 1 ½ inches, and acrylic on canvas

Original Painting - NFS, Limited Edition Prints - 20 Prints

Contact Gallery

Artist Bio

Toby Kim (김토비) (she/her and they/them) is a painter, bookmaker, and photographer based in Brooklyn. Growing up in various cities, including Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Shanghai, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, and New York City, their exposure to different cultures brings a valuable perspective to her work. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, they continue to create bodies of work inspired by their Korean-American heritage and upbringing where they deconstruct their cultural identity and representation as an individual. @tobymkim (social) and website: tobykim.com.