Sophia Kyungwon Kim 김 경 원
Sophia Kyungwon Kim, a Toronto-based visual artist and mother of four, is pursuing an MFA at OCAD University, building on her BFA in Drawing and Painting from the same institution. Her art, shaped by mutualism, ecological interdependence, and symbiotic relationships, draws inspiration from her diverse life experiences, including her former role as a police officer in Korea and her journey as an immigrant mother. Passionate about nature, Sophia explores the entangled relationships between organic and synthetic materials, emphasizing the delicate balance of collaborative survival. She uses oil and acrylic to capture often-overlooked entities, focusing on mushrooms—organisms that thrive through interconnection and mutual support. In a world of constant change, she aims to reveal subtle stories within nature, urging viewers to recognize the intricate web of coexistence that sustains life.
Biography
2002 Korea National Police University Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration
2002-2013 Served in Korea National Police
2013- Stay-at-home mother of four children
2022 OCAD University Bachelor's Degree of Fine Arts (Drawing and Painting) with Distinction
2022 Winner of Curtlands Foundation Prize 2022
2023- Studying at Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media, and Design at OCAD University
Exhibitions
2019. 04. OCAD University First Year Self Portraits - Ada Slaight Galleries - Toronto, Canada
2019. 10. Unknowable Unknowing - OCAD University & Toronto Biennial of Art - Toronto, Canada
2020. 07. Art in the time of Coronavirus - from the Drawing and Painting program at OCAD U - Virtual
2021. 08. Looking Out While Looking In - OCAD University & Southern University New York - Virtual
2022. 07. Fresh Paint & New Construction 2022 - Art Mûr Gallery - Montreal, Canada
2022. 08. Old Growth - Resurrection, Regeneration, Intervention - Propeller Art Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2022. 09. Restroration - 31st KASC Annual Exhibition - Papermill Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2023. 10. Han, Sum, Gyul - 32st KASC Annual Exhibition - Papermill Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2024. 04. Keeping Dreams - Women's Art Association of Canada - Dignam Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2024. 05. Solo Art Exhibition presented by Hello Art & GWL Realty Advisior - 33 Yonge St - Toronto, Canada
2024. 07. Toronto Outdoor Art Fair - Nathan Phillips Square - Toronto, Canada
2024. 07. Memory : 33rd KASC Annual Exhibition - Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2024. 11. WHO ARE YOU FROM/ How do you imagine your work a 1000 years from now? - Graduate Gallery - Toronto, Canada
2025. 03. In The Making - Great Hall OCAD University - Toronto, Canada