Angel Liberation, 2022, acrylic on inkjet print, 14.25x12.75 inches

Artist Bio:

New York-based artist June Kim is best known for her performative photographs and videos of herself and her wolf-like dogs. Kim creates scenes which explore female identity, desire, and beauty. The ever-present dogs appear across all types of media in ways that are metaphorical as well as diaristic, and provide a portal to the mythic and primal. Her work has been exhibited internationally, and featured in magazines such as BOMB, Crush Fanzine, Fanzine, and VUU.

Artist Statement:

“My work centers around the intersection of painting and photography, where I explore themes

of equity, wisdom, and spirituality through the unique lens of human-canine relationships. By

layering dynamic, often abstract and childlike brushstrokes over photographs, I aim to

transcend the ordinary, inviting viewers into an alternative reality where the roles and

perceptions of dogs and humans are reimagined.

In these pieces, dogs are not merely pets or companions but are portrayed as equals or, in

some instances, superior in wisdom or spiritual depth. This artistic choice reflects a critique

human-centric views and challenges the viewer to consider the profound, often overlooked,

capacities of animals. By elevating dogs in such a way, my work poses questions about

intelligence, empathy, and the essence of companionship.

The photographs serve as a canvas, capturing both staged and quotidian moments, which I

then transform with paint. This transformation is not just visual but conceptual; it’s about

altering perspectives. The brushwork, characterized by its spontaneity and simplicity, mirrors

the uninhibited and intuitive nature of the dogs themselves, suggesting a purity and directness

of emotion and thought that humans might strive to emulate or learn from.

Each artwork aims to blur the lines between species, proposing a world where wisdom is not

measured by conventional human metrics but by an innate connection to the natural and

spiritual realms. Through this series, I hope to evoke a sense of wonder, encourage

introspection, and maybe even inspire a shift in how we view our non-human companions.” - June Kim