One View of the Korean Art Scene in Chicago

Note: This is a part of the Global Art Scene in Chicago Series.

The Chicago Korean American Artists Association (CKAAA), founded in 1981, is the leading organization of Korean-American artists in the Chicago area. It has for nearly thirty years now consistently and successfully organized annual and semi-annual fine arts exhibitions of Korean-American artists’ work across all media and genres. Membership consists of painters, printmakers, sculptors, ceramic artists, fiber artists, installation artists, Korean traditional artists, designers, fashion designers, photographers and video artists. In order to become a member of CKAAA, he or she must be at least half Korean or, in some cases, in a close relationship with or a spouse of someone from Korea. Despite the organizations rather extensive history, the CKAAA only recently began applying for grants and outside financial resources and is currently developing their own website in order to better manage and advertise their activities.

While their exhibitions have certainly explored common themes in Korean-American art, President of CKAAA and curator of their most recent exhibition, Sprouting, Sun H. Choi, writes, “CKAAA plays a vital role in portraying both the similarities and the differences between immigrant communities and the larger American society and to show that differences are not negative. On the contrary, differences are to be embraced and appreciated, for they are what make our society so energetic, vibrant and fascinating.” Sprouting, which is on display at the Noyes Cultural Center in Evanston through June 29th, is a great example of the organization’s work. The exhibition includes work by thirty-three different Chicago-area artists working in painting, ceramic, video and installation. Meant to address the current global economic situation, Sprouting utilizes the symbol of the plant emerging from cold soil in spring, and the exhibition offers rejuvenating images for its viewers. Their first small Illinois Arts Council grant supported this exhibition, including allowed for them to host a Korean Kite-Making Workshop during the opening reception. Approximately fifty children and their parents participated in the workshop, taking their kites out to fly in the nearby park upon completion. This was CKAAA’s first exhibition at the Noyes Cultural Center as well as their first public workshop.

The exhibition is expected to have a closing party, in which all Chicagoans are invited. CKAAA members are also busy planning a group summer picnic, volunteering at the Korean booth at local cultural festivals and planning another group exhibition for September at the Skokie Library Gallery. Self-described as “an association of fine artists and mentors,” they challenge one another to improve the quality of their artwork, educate the next generation of artists and further engage the Chicago Korean-American community. CKAAA’s goals for the future include opening new doors for younger artists and continuing to find new ways to combine traditional Korean art forms with their diverse experiences in the United States.

For more information on the Sprouting exhibition, feel free to download this PDF: Sprouting Catalog