The Giving Tree - 48” x 36” oil on canvas

November 4 - December 2 * Exhibit open during all events and by appointment: email info@rhizomedc.org * Opening reception Friday November 4, 7-10pm with performances by DJ Killr Flowr + Peyman Allahvirdizadeh * Closing reception Friday December 2, 7-10pm with performances by Duck Myers

Much of my work draws from my experiences growing up as a Korean American latchkey kid. I was born in DC — the first of my family born in America.  I was raised by my mother, sister, and some form of television. Together, we moved across the country living in North Dakota, California, Texas, and New York. With each move, I struggled to adapt and assimilate. The cartoons, comics, and films I had access to as a child provided me with both an escape and a cultural framework for understanding my constantly changing world. My comprehension of the human experience came from two realities — one behind the screen, and the other in front of my eyes. Both were beautiful, funny, and cruel. The drawings and paintings in this exhibition attempt to bring the viewer back to those very real fictional spaces where stories unfurled to shape our beliefs and morals — where viewers can get lost in a myth, sensation, or memory while feeling both connected and alone.

Throughout the month-long run of the show, over 20 curated local musicians, dancers and writers will perform in parallel to the visual art exhibition. In sharing their own music, dance and words, they will provide a sort of soundtrack to the show.

Tom Kim a.k.a. "Death by Narwhals" completed his bachelor's degree in studio art in New Hampshire with a focus in oil painting. His career began working briefly in a variety of low level commercial art and animation gigs in NYC before returning to DC in 2008. His work has since shown across DC with his last solo exhibition at Lost Origins gallery at the end of 2019.

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