Jun Yang is a self-taught, multifaceted artist from Seoul, South Korea, currently based in San Francisco. His work ranges from intimate compositions to full-scale murals, showcasing a broad range of techniques and materials. Jun has exhibited his work in numerous national and international exhibitions, including De Young Open 2020, Kunsthaus Graz in Austria, MOCA Taipei in Taiwan, and Seoul.
As a queer artist, Jun considers safety and belonging important. He moved to the Bay Area 13 years ago to find a city where he could feel protected. Now he feels sheltered and confident and wants to give back through his art practice. Jun’s work explores and celebrates the complexities of his life experiences, with the goal of creating visual representations of queer and Asian immigrant minorities.
Most of Jun's current work features self-portraits and human figures, depicting love, kindness and pain. To convey emotions and a sense of movement and energy, Jun uses vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes. He aims to inspire empathy and understanding while creating a space for marginalized communities to be seen and heard. Jun often uses unconventional colors to create human skin tones and exaggerated body parts.
Jun's work is being showcased at the “Bay Area Contemporary Art Show” by SmArt Collective opening on 5/5/23 at 668 Guerrero St. Curated by Jimmy McCaffrey& Maurice Velasco. For the month of Pride, Jun is co-curating “Soft Shock” with Mothbelly Gallery featuring Skywaterr and Mila Moldenhawe, which opens on 06/01. His solo show at Strut in the Castro opens in June.
For the month of May, Jun will curate “We The Artists,” which will feature Bay Area-based AAPI artists. Jun is excited to feature AAPI artists for their unique perspectives and experiences, as they challenge and celebrate the complexities of identity, representation, and belonging in contemporary art society. Stay tuned for future spotlights on Bay Area-based AAPI artists.
Feature Published: May 5, 2023
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