30
T H E B R A I N P R O J E C T 2 0 2 0
Jieun June Kim is a Toronto-based, Korean-
born painter, muralist and art producer. She has
exhibited her paintings around the world since
2010 at notable galleries and events, exploring
the idea of "home" as an immigrant. Kim is also
interested in creating a safe space through street
art and has created numerous murals with various
arts organizations and for corporate partners.
She is a recipient of the Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship grant
from the Toronto Arts Council (2018) and was one of the artists-in-residence
at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto (2019). She is a co-founder of
KJ Bit Collective, which creates murals and street art events, and a member
of the Mural Routes advisory committee.
Horangi
Jieun June Kim
Artist Statement
Many of Jieun June Kim's paintings are inspired by Korean folk art. One
of her favourite Korean folklore characters is Horangi, the tiger. The tiger
is the symbolic protector, guarding against the three disasters (fire, flood
and wind) and the three agonies (war, famine and pestilence). During these
challenging times, Kim felt the tiger to be a perfect source of inspiration.
