Issue 27: Our Roots, Growth, and Liberation with ShinYeon Moon
Celebrating National Liberation Day of Korea with ShinYeon Moon who finds her liberation through art
During the summer break, I took some time to relax and reflect on the lives of artists. I thought about how art enriches our lives, the role of artists in the community, and how society values or undervalues them. I often find inspiration in observing other artists, and for many years, I've been captivated by ShinYeon Moon's diverse artistic creations, including murals, felted creatures, and various styles of drawings and paintings. The first time I fell in love with Shin's art was when I came across a beautiful zine called "Herbs of the Korean Diaspora," which Shin collaborated on with her sister Jin, a poet and doula. I was instantly drawn to the poetic and powerful presentation of the Korean herbal fairies, their connection to Indigenous people's history and culture, and I've been following Shin's artistic journey ever since. Not only is Shin's art warm, fun, sophisticated, and incredibly imaginative, but Shin herself is an amazing person whom I'd like everyone to know about. So here I am introducing Shin - enjoy the interview!
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with ShinYeon Moon
ShinYeon Moon is an artist and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. She currently teaches BFA Illustration at the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology. She recently held a duo exhibition in Ginza, Japan in May and her latest children’s book she illustrated, Once Upon A Friend, published in June of this year. You can find ShinYeon on her website here or follow her prolific creative endeavors here on her Instagram.
Introduce yourself more personally in 2-3 sentences.
Hi! You can call me Shin. If I am not drawing or painting, you will probably find me snacking on something delicious, watching k-dramas and anime, napping, or collecting zines and children’s books.
Where are you from?
Brooklyn!!
No, where are you REALLY from? (Haha!)
I was born and raised in Westchester, New York (“upstate”). My parents are from Korea but they both moved to the States when they were young, so we pretty much grew up in an English-only household.
What’s your sign?
Taurus (hence, the love of eating and napping)
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Empathetic, resilient, weird, dependable, and unfortunately perpetually exhausted
What do you love about being Komerican?
I think it’s so powerful to be able to come from a multi-cultural family. I have always felt like a wandering nomad (not truly fitting in when in the States and not truly fitting in when I’m in Korea), but this also helped me to see how actually small and connected the world is and that there is power in being able to choose and blend different parts of where you are from to create a unique version of the world and how you view it.
And of course, what are your favorite Korean foods?
This is the most difficult question you can ask me…I think if the world was ending and I only had one meal left to choose, it would be Yukgaejang…with a side of Tteokbokki (with cheese and soondae)…and Bibim-nengmyun…and some Dweji Bulogigi…basically anything that is red and spicy.
I am drooling.
What was your childhood like and what has it taught you?
I never fit in and I think I felt very isolated as a child because we were so disconnected from our heritage. We grew up in white suburbia, so I took every opportunity I could to stay connected to my culture - I would constantly be visiting extended family and learning the language so that I could better understand and communicate with my loved ones. Because we didn’t see a lot of examples of being Asian-American growing up, there was even shame attached to my identity, but this taught me about being resilient and to proudly define myself in my own terms - and I think that is very Komerican of me.
Can you share something exciting that you’re working on now?
I have never been a good writer, but I am trying to challenge myself by getting into writing so that I could hopefully one day author-illustrate my own books.
What do people underestimate about you?
I am very introverted and shy when we first meet, so I think people will be shocked to hear how loud and obnoxiously rude my laughter actually is.
Share your proudest moment in the past year.
I was able to have a duo exhibition, Shimmer, in Tokyo this year with my high school painting tutor and life mentor, Seungmee Yoo. She and I had a dream of exhibiting together for more than 10 years and it finally came together in a wonderful show this May. It was such a healing and profound time, being able to talk about art making and the love of art, with my mentor, as well as the exhibition audience and incredibly kind gallery staff. As an added bonus, all 15 ink drawing pieces I did sold out! Thank you so much to anyone who took a piece home!
What was your hardest moment in the past year?
There have been quite a few (haha sigh) but feeling very far away from immediate family has been tough. I have family scattered around the world. We finally did a short reunion in Korea after not being able to see each other for over 5 years. It was pretty hard to say goodbye because we didn’t know when we would all be able to gather together again.
We’ve all been hurt in some form or fashion. What are you healing from?
I’m still healing and processing my life, my childhood, the pandemic…it’s rough out there.
How do you love yourself?
Self-love is so important and I make sure to recharge and re-energize by resting, resting, resting, and eating good food… and going to therapy once a week.
How do you love others?
By showing up and being there. If you need me there to sit in silence and listen, to help you move out, to share a delicious meal…whatever you need, I am there.
What five things can you not live without?
Coffee, my book and zine collection, drawing supplies, my loved ones, and Aquaphor
What’s your favorite dance song?
If flailing your arms counts as dancing, I guess I do it. Currently my favorite dance song is HyukOh’s Young Man.
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Matcha custard pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds!
This Q&A was filled out online and edited for length and clarity.
H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?
“This powdered instant soup my mom used to make when I was a kid is my ultimate comfort food. It doesn’t taste great if I eat it now, but I still crave for it from time to time.” - Olive K.
What’s your favorite H Mart product? Share the love and leave a comment!
Crispy Crust: A Touch of Jeong - Uplifting illustrations that delight
I moved to NYC a weekend before Gwangbokjeol, August 15th, 2006 with two big luggages, a backpack, and a laptop. Gwangbokjeol, a national holiday in Korea, always reminds me of the time I moved.
Love, Aram
Korean School: 광복절 Gwang-bok-jeol, National Liberation Day of Korea
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
광복절 Gwang-bok-jeol, National Liberation Day of Korea, is one of the most significant national holidays in Korea. It is celebrated annually on August 15th to commemorate the end of Japanese colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945, and the regaining of Korea's independence. During this day, streets and homes are decorated with taegeukgi (national flags), and various ceremonies are held to celebrate the resilient history and rich culture of the Korean people. It is often said that the intense summer heat subsides after Gwangbokjeol, as it falls right in the middle of August.
Sweet & Salty: A list of the tastiest treats satisfying all the senses
National Museum of Korea in Seoul is currently showing a special exhibition titled <우리가 인디언으로 알던 사람들 Cultures and Histories of Indigenous People in North America> that’s thoughtfully and beautifully curated. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of effort, knowledge, and care that went into organizing this stunning exhibition, as well as its popularity. It challenged my bias that Korean people weren’t very interested in the less-known history of Indigenous People in other countries, and it was a hopeful finding.
The World Borough Bookshop, a beloved bookstore that’s been transforming the neighborhood of Queens, NY, is celebrating its one-year anniversary! On August 18th, Saturday, come visit them holding their anniversary market with vendors, activities, and food, inside and outside of the store. This is a chance to experience a good, old-fashioned block party with neighbors, friends, and families, with lots of love and support for one another.
Now that you got to know Shin, would you like to meet her? Shin participates in a special event of children’s book reading in FIT, in NY, during the exhibition It’s a Kid’s World! Play, Imagine, Create Shin’s past students put together. The special event will be on August 17th, 1-3PM, along with Lily Quian, Shin’s FIT colleague and a wonderful illustrator. The RSVP through QR code here.