Kearny Street Workshop presents the 6th annual APAture, September 14-25, 2004

apature 2004: artists

Featured Artists   |   Participating Artists   |   APAture Retrospective Artists

The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors
Matthew Abaya
 Derek Kirk Kim
Shailja Patel
 Erika Shuch
The Skyflakes
 Kana Tanaka

Derek Kirk Kim

Panel from Kim's award-winning comic book Same Difference & Other Stories (Courtesy Derek Kirk Kim)

Derek Kirk Kim was born at home in Kumi, South Korea in 1974. As far back as he can remember, he only had one real obsession: telling stories. Also showing an affinity for drawing early on, it was only natural that comics -- or "sequential art" -- was the medium of storytelling for which he was best suited. He came to America at 8 years of age, and later went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco to study Illustration and Creative Writing.

His recent book, Same Difference and Other Stories, has garnered rave reviews from TIME to Aint-It-Cool.com to Asianweek. Publishers Weekly selected Same Difference as one of the best books of 2003. Through a series of sensitive--and often hilarious--short stories, Kim deftly explores the not-so-average twenty-somethings' quarter-life crisis, romantic neurosis, and a refreshing slice of Korean-American life. Kim's self-effacing wit, ear for dialogue, and meticulous art style earned him the Xeric Grant as well as an Ignatz Award in 2002 and 2003, respectively. He's also nominated for two Eisner Awards --including "Best Short Story"-- and a Harvey Award this year, two of the industry's highest honors.

BIO

Derek Kirk Kim was born in Kumi, South Korea in 1974, and has been writing and drawing as far back as he can remember. He came to the United States when he was 8, leaving behind a deceased father. He studied at the Academy of Art in San Francisco and immediately began a career in comics upon leaving. For the past three years, he has been serializing deeply personal, poignant, and often hilarious short stories at his website, lowbright.com. Most recently, he released a book collecting many of the aforementioned short stories entitled, Same Difference and Other Stories to much critical and popular acclaim. He likes Tabasco sauce on everything.


Above: Derek Kirk Kim.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

I am writing and drawing for my great great grandchildren whom I'll never live to see. I want them to know there was a face and laughter and tears behind their great great grandfather's name. I want them know there was a time when snap-shots of Asian American life was buried. I want them to know people are and will always be the same. I want them to know we're the same. And most of all, I hope to inspire them to leave behind a vessel of their emotions for their own great great grandchildren.

http://www.lowbright.com/

» Next Artist: Shailja Patel


to top of page