Dave Young Kim Mural Artist, widely recognized for his monumental Son Heung-min mural in Koreatown, is now taking on a new role as a curator and artistic director to weave together Asian mythology and immigrant narratives. Kim is leading the special exhibition “Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry” at the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, marking a significant shift from the streets to the museum gallery.
Last October, Kim gained immense popularity among the Korean-American community and soccer fans by creating a massive mural of Premier League star Son Heung-min on the Cosby Building near Wilshire Boulevard. Reflecting on his work, he stated, “When Korean Americans see figures that resemble themselves in art, sports, and culture, they feel their existence and stories are validated. That is exactly what I aim to achieve through my art.”
In this latest project, running through September 6, the Dave Young Kim Mural Artist transforms the museum into an immersive journey. He describes the exhibition as “an experience like walking into a poem narrated by a loved one,” blending over 100 historical artifacts from the museum’s 5,000-year-old collection with contemporary works by 24 modern artists.
The exhibition features a diverse lineup of contemporary artists, including Greg Ito, Lily Honglei, Wendy Park, and Shin Kyung-mi. By placing artifacts from East Asia, South Asia, the Himalayas, and the Pacific Islands alongside modern art, Kim presents a new narrative where the past and present intersect.
“This project reinterprets museum collections through collaborations with contemporary artists,” Kim explained. “We used Asian myths to modernize the memories and emotions of immigrants.”
Visitors navigate through 12 exhibition spaces featuring installations, videos, and interactive media. Highlights include:
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Voyage in the Dark: A space symbolizing the journey across the ocean.
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The First Home: An installation recreating the initial dwellings of immigrants.
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Infinite Mirror Room: Featuring ‘Jin Chan’ (the golden toad), symbolizing prosperity and luck.
Kim has also actively integrated cutting-edge technology into the showcase. The exhibition includes a panoramic video work set in a recreated airplane cabin and an AI-driven video installation that generates immigrant portraits based on visitors’ faces. There is even an interactive digital pond that reacts as viewers approach.
As a prominent Dave Young Kim Mural Artist based in Los Angeles, Kim has long explored themes of cultural memory, migration, and identity. A graduate of UC Davis and Mills College, he is also the co-founder of the Korean American Artist Collective (KAAC). His work has been featured at prestigious venues, including the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, the Berkeley Art Center, and the LA Municipal Art Gallery.
This exhibition at the USC Pacific Asia Museum serves as a powerful testament to how ancient symbols like dragons, cranes, and guardian deities continue to represent family sagas and generational memories today.
BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
