JUNE KOREA

is an artist who uses photography as a bridge to invite viewers to his constructed fantasies. His aim is to visually translate his imagined narrative into the real world. His hope for his work is that it will serve as a catalyst that stimulates to leave questions of our solitary existence in contemporary society.

2017–Now    CEO. Plusarts Institute [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].
2002–Now    Photographer. June Korea Photography [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].

2019–Now    Judge. ASYAAF [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR].
2005–Now    Official Sponsor. Make-A-Wish Korea [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].

EDUCATION

2015              MFA, Photography, Video and Related Media. School of Visual Arts [New York, NY, US]. 14 May 2015.
                      — Alice Beck-Odette Scholarship and Alumni Scholarship. 2013–15.
2012              BFA, Photography and Imaging. ArtCenter College of Design [Pasadena, CA, US]. 15 Dec. 2012.
                      — Martha Chandler Scholarship, Jules Bates Scholarship, and Thomas Denhart Scholarship. 2009–12.

AWARDS & GRANTS

2023              Korea Safety Health Environment Foundation Grant. Korea Safety Health Environment Foundation [KR]. 10 Nov. 2023.
2022              Make-A-Wish Sponsorship Award. Make-A-Wish Korea [KR]. 28 Nov. 2022.
2018              Center of Contemporary Artists Award. COCA Project [ES]. 17 Sept. 2018.
2017              Make-A-Wish Achievement Award. Make-A-Wish Korea [KR]. 23 Nov. 2017.
                      Korean Artists Welfare Foundation Grant. Korean Artists Welfare Foundation [KR]. 12 May 2017.
                      American Photography 33 Award. AI-AP [US]. 16 Mar. 2017.
                      2016 International Photographer of the Year Award. IPOTY [UK]. 12 Feb. 2017.
                      Life Framer Award—Still Life: 20 Amazing Photographers to Discover. Life Framer [US]. 9 Jan. 2017.
2015              2015 CA it Awards Photography Gold Award. CA it Awards [US]. 17 Dec. 2015.
                   2015 Neutral Density Photography Awards 1st Place—Gold Star Award. ND Awards [INT]. 29 Nov. 2015.
                      2015 Seoul–New York Photo Festival Silver Award. Seoul–New York Photo Festival [KR]. 5 Nov. 2015.
                      21st Artist Portfolio Award. Artist Portfolio Magazine [Garden Grove, US]. 10 Feb. 2015.
2012              53rd CMYK Award. CMYK Magazine [San Francisco, US]. 1 Aug. 2012.
                      27th CQ Award. Creative Quarterly [New York, US]. 1 May 2012.
2011              MAC Group Photography Award. MAC Group [US]. 19 Aug. 2011.
                      2011 Museum of Seongnam Arts Center Emerging Artist Award. Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [KR]. 15 June 2011.
2009              Make-A-Wish Achievement Award. Make-A-Wish Korea [KR]. 10 Jan. 2009.
2005              Feelux Lighting Grand Award. Feelux Lighting Co., Ltd. [US]. 6 Apr. 2005.
2003              Dong-A Photography Excellence Award. The Dong-A Ilbo [KR]. 10 Nov. 2003.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2018              “Still Lives.” Miboo Art Center [Seo-gu, Busan, KR]. 11 May–15 June 2018.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS & FAIRS

2024              “41.6%.” Tongui-dong Boan Inn [Jongno-gu, Seoul, KR]. 5–31 Mar. 2024.
2021              “Wonderful Days for All.” Seoul Medical Center [Jungnang-gu, Seoul, KR]. 18 Mar–Current. 2021.
2017              “Cityscape Korea 2017.” COEX [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR]. 17–19 Aug. 2017.
                      “A to Z.” Mesa [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR]. 28 July–6 Aug. 2017.
                      “Currents in Figuration.” Walter Wickiser Gallery [Chelsea, NY, US]. 4–29 Mar. 2017.
                      “2016 CA it Awards Showcase—Featuring Artist: June Korea.” SIA Gallery [Chelsea, NY, US]. 12–14 Jan. 2017.
2016              “Jersey City Art & Studio Tour.” JCAST Flagship Gallery [Jersey City, NJ, US]. 8–23 Oct. 2016.
                      “Detroit Biennale.” Museum of New Art [Troy, MI, US]. 1 Oct. 2016.
                      “Art Slope: Park Slope Art Festival.” Park Slope [Brooklyn, NY, US]. 17–25 Sept. 2016.
                      “2016 ASYAAF: Hidden Artists Festival.” Dongdaemun Design Plaza [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR]. 2–14 Aug. 2016.
                      “9th Invitational Art Exhibition.” The City Hall of Jersey City [Jersey City, NJ, US]. 5–28 Apr. 2016.
                      “2016 NYPH.” The POWERHOUSE Arena [Brooklyn, NY, US]. 15–29 Feb. 2016.
2015              “Still Lives.” Rusted Iron in DUMBO [Seongdong-gu, Seoul, KR]. 27 July–30 Aug. 2015.
2011              “Still Lives: Neighbors.” Gallery Ls [San Pedro, CA, US]. 5–21 May 2011.
2015              “2015 CA it Awards Showcase.” Space in Arts New York [Chelsea, NY, US]. 16–18 Dec. 2015.
                      “2015 SIPF.” Dongdaemun Design Plaza [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR]. 5–13 Nov. 2015.
                      “Here+There.” And N Gallery [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR]. 28 July–5 Aug. 2015.
                      “2015 MFA National Exhibition.” First Street Gallery [Chelsea, NY, US]. 23 July–14 Aug. 2015.
                      “2015 ASYAAF: Hidden Artists.” Culture Station Seoul 284 [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR]. 21 July–2 Aug. 2015.
                      “The Selfie Show: An Art Exhibition of Self-Portraits.” Museum of New Art [Troy, MI, US]. 8 May–5 June 2015.
                      “2015 LA Art Book Fair.” MOCA [Los Angeles, CA, US]. 29 Jan.–1 Feb. 2015.
2014              “2014 Seongnam Media Festival.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 21–26 Oct. 2014.
                      “2014 NY Art Book Fair.” MoMA PS1 [Long Island City, NY, US]. 26–28 Sept. 2014.
                      “Springtime and Rebirth.” Monastère Saint-Paul de Mausole [Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, FR]. 19 Sept.–21 Oct. 2014.
                      “2014 Young Artists.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 1 Sept.–14 Dec. 2014.
                      “Boundaries.” SVA Gramercy Gallery [New York, NY, US]. 11–30 July 2014.
                      “re.con.nect.” Korean Cultural Center New York [New York, NY, US]. 4–25 July 2014.
                      “UNICEF’s Next Generation Photo Benefit.” Aperture Foundation [Chelsea, NY, US]. 17 May 2014.
                      “100 Artists’ Show.” Gallery Noori [Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 18–23 Mar. 2014.
                      “Joy-Route Exhibition.” Space Womb Gallery [New York, NY, US]. 27 Feb.–5 Mar. 2014.
2013              “One Language is Not Enough.” Space Claremont [Claremont, CA, US]. 9 Nov. 2013–4 Jan. 2014.
                      “2013 Emerging Artists.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 18 Oct.–3 Nov. 2013.
                      “The Lucky Jotter’s 5th Exhibition.” Jam Industries [City Centre, Nottingham, UK]. 14–21 Oct. 2013.
                      “2013 ASYAAF.” Culture Station Seoul 284 [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR]. 6-18 Aug. 2013.
                      “2013 Young & New.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 19 Feb.–8 Mar. 2013.
                      “Personal Culture.” Space Womb Gallery [New York, NY, US]. 26 Jan.–8 Feb. 2013.
2012              “LA Drive Bye 24:00.” The Studio For Southern California History [Los Angeles, CA, US]. 30 Nov.–9 Dec. 2012.
                      “The Faces of Seongnam.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 11–26 Sept. 2012.
2011–12        “Thinking Outside the Square.” Gallery 207 [Santa Ana, CA, US]. 3 Dec. 2011–3 Jan. 2012.
2011              “Face Off.” Smashbox Studios [Culver City, CA, US]. 8 Dec. 2011.
                      “2011 ASYAAF.” Hongik University [Mapo-gu, Seoul, KR]. 10–22 Aug. 2011.
                      “2011 Emerging Artists.” Museum of Seongnam Arts Center [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 3–15 June 2011.
2010              “What was Your Dream?.” ArtCenter Public Programs Gallery [Pasadena, CA, US]. 13 Dec. 2010.
                      “2010 ASYAAF.” Sungshin Women’s University [Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, KR]. 11–23 Aug. 2010.
2009              “36.5 Project On.” MayJune Gallery [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR]. 2–8 Feb. 2009.
2006              “The 3rd EIDF ‘Prospering Asia, Reconciliation & Coexistence.’” EBS Space [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR]. 10–16 July 2006.
2003              “Photo Plus.” Jebiwool Art Museum [Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 10–20 Dec. 2003.

PUBLICATIONS

2018              Korea, June. Still Lives: Eva. Seoul: June Korea Photography, 2018. Print.
2015              Korea, June. Still Lives: Neighbors, Mimi. New York: June Korea Photography, 2015. Ebook.
2014              Korea, June. Still Lives: Neighbors. New York: June Korea Photography, 2014. Print.
                      Korea, June. “I Want to See What He Wanted to See.” WORDS. New York: Visual Arts Press, Ltd., 2014: 6–9. Print.

PRESS & INTERVIEWS

2018              Jang, Juyeon. “June Korea—Moments Captured by the Epic Tale of Loneliness” Contemporary Art Curator Magazine [INT]. 20 Apr. 2018. Web.
                      Kay, Joelcy. “Constructing My Own Artificial Eternity | Loneliness & A Silicon Sex Doll I Named Eva” Edge of Humanity Magazine [US]. 20 Apr. 2018. Web.
                      Park, Yihyun. “그들이 '사진'으로 뭉친 이유는?” 월간사진 [KR]. 1 Jan. 2018: 98–103. Print.
2017              色影无忌. “人性娃娃的世界—June Korea.” 凤凰Art [CN]. 20 Mar. 2017. Web.
                      Park, Yihyun. “Inside Photo: June Korea.” 월간사진 [KR]. 1 Mar. 2017: 122–125. Print.
                      “Fotograf chodí s nafukovacou Ančou. Pozrite sa, ako vyzerá ich život.” Europa 2 Radio Station [SK]. 14 Jan. 2017. Web.
                      “Απαθανατίζοντας τη σχέση ενός άνδρα με… μια πλαστική κούκλα.” E-Radio [GR]. 3 Jan. 2017. Web.
                      “Most Popular Photographers.” Dodho Magazine [ES]. 2 Jan. 2017. Web.
2016              “사진작가 ‘준코리아’의 작품세계.” Dispatch [KR]. 29 Dec. 2016. Web.
                      “June Korea—Still Lives: Eva.” Dodho Magazine [ES]. 20 Dec. 2016. Web.
                      “Emerging Photography Contender: June Korea.” Feature Shoot [US]. 17 Dec. 2016. Web.
                      d'Alessandro, Guillaume. “My Silicone Baby.” We Demain [FR]. 22 Nov. 2016: Cover, 24–31. Print.
                      Revuelta, Ana. “Falso/Fake: June Korea (Still Lives: Eva).” Exit Imagen y Cultura [ES]. 18 Nov. 2016. Print.
                   Winatschek, Marcel. “Er nannte sie Eva—Dieser Fotograf teilt die intimen Momente zwischen ihm und seiner Sexpuppe.” Amy & Pink [DE]. 17 Nov. 2016. Web.
                      Cho, Wonhee. “‘섹스돌 프로젝트’로 주목받는 사진작가 준 코리아.” Korea Joongang Daily [US]. 16 Aug. 2016: 17. Print. Web.
                   Wong, Yoon Sann. “Uncanny Series Captures Photographer’s Fantasy Love Relationship with a Sex Doll.” DesignTAXI [SG]. 15 Aug. 2016. Web.
                      Holden, Madeleine. “Meet the New York-Based Artist Living with a Sex Doll.” Highsnobiety [DE]. 27 July 2016. Web.
                   Clemente, Mariarosaria. “Still Lives: Eva, la sex doll di June Korea.” Ultima Voce [IT]. 23 July 2016. Web.
                      “充氣娃娃有生命？ 藝術家在她身上看見自己.” Liberty Times [TW]. 15 July 2016. Web.
                      Kang, Byeongjin. “This Artist Photographs Sex Dolls in Order to Explore Human Emotions.” The Huffington Post [FR, IT, JP, CA, KR, and US]. 11 July 2016. Web.
                      Blair. “Este fotógrafo te enseña lo que es vivir con una muñeca de plástico.” Cribeo [ES]. 10 July 2016. Web.
                      Kirby, Matthew. “Photographer Documents His Intimate Relationship with a Lifelike Sex Doll.” Konbini [FR, MX, UK, and US]. 3 July 2016. Web.
                      Peña, Iván. “Fotógrafo coreano relata su extraño ‘noviazgo’ con una muñeca modelo.” El Tiempo [CO]. 1 July 2016. Print. Web.
                      Green, Jamie. “June Korea’s Photographic Fantasy: One Man’s Relationship with His Sex Doll.” It’s Nice That [UK]. 28 June 2016. Web.
                      Mccrum, Kirstie. “Sex Doll Photographs Reveal ‘Fantasy Relationship’ of Lonely Man Who Sleeps and Eats with ‘Toy.’” Daily Mirror [UK]. 27 June 2016. Web.
                      Law, Steve. “Korean Photographer Breathes Life into a Doll in Candid Still Life Series.” DigitalRev [HK]. 27 June 2016. Web.
                      Umrlec. “Život s realistickou sex bábikou. Fotograf dokumentuje svoju osamelosť.” Doba Magazín [SK]. 27 June 2016. Web.
                      López, Alejandro. “La soledad de un fotógrafo a través de su relación con una muñeca sexual.” Cultura Colectiva [MX]. 22 June 2016. Web.
                      Ferri, Graziano. “June Korea Shows Us His Fantasy Love Relationship with His Sex Doll Eva.” Fotografia [INT]. 20 June 2016. Web.
2015              Kim, Dongwoo. “섹스돌로 예술하는 한인 청년 ‘홀로 마주한 공허함이 무서웠다.’” Kukmin Ilbo [KR]. 3 Dec. 2015. Web.
                      Changxin, Chen. “不在乎別人眼光 他與充氣娃娃談起戀愛.” China Times [CN]. 30 July 2015. Web.
                      Kim, Ami. “‘에바(Eva)’에게 인생을 건 사진작가.” The Herald Business [KR]. 17 Aug. 2015: 24. Print. Web.
                      Lucchesi, Nick. “June and the Real Girl: A Photographer Explains His ‘Relationship’ with a Sex Doll.” The Village Voice [US]. 9 July 2015. Web.
                      Stirling, Dana. “June Korea, ‘Still Lives: As I Slept, I Left My Camera over There.’” Float Photo Magazine [US]. 2 May 2015: 41–60. Web.
2014              “Emerging Artist: June Korea.” The Artist Catalogue [US]. 1 Aug. 2014: 34–39. Web.
2013              Yim, Yijo. “June Korea Shooting His Dream.” Magazine Joy-Route [US]. 7 Nov. 2013: Cover, 38–76. Web.
                      Roh, Eunyoung. “잃어버린 기억을 찾아서, 사진작가 June Korea.” Intermission [KR]. 24 Oct. 2013. Web.
                      Choi, Yebin. “생각이 좋은 작가, 매일 두근거리는 삶을 사는 행복한 포토그래퍼 - June Korea.” Visumé [KR]. 27 Sept. 2013. Web.
                      “5월의 아티스트.” Coupist [KR]. 1 May 2013: Cover, 24–50. Web.
                      Lee, Hyerin. “사진을 통해 소통을 배우다.” Artview [KR]. 28 Jan. 2013: 22–24. Print. Web.
2012              “Life in Focus.” The Picture Professional [US]. 28 Dec. 2012: 64. Print. Web.
                      Lee, Gwangjae. “내 손으로 만드는 기적, 재능기부 이야기.” uniK [KR]. 29 June 2012. Web.
                      “Featured Artist: June Korea.” Resource Magazine [US]. 17 Apr. 2012: 104. Print.
2006              “Featured Artist: June Korea.” The Women’s News [KR]. 15 Apr. 2006. Print.
2005              “기적을 꿈꾸는 사람들.” Make-A-Wish 소원· 별· 이야기 [KR]. 22 June 2005: 23. Print.
2004              “눈이 큰 아이.” Sports Seoul EPN [KR]. 3 Jan. 2004. Web.
2003              “Paper's Dream Gallery.” Paper Magazine [KR]. 1 Nov. 2003: 20. Print.

ARTIST’S TALKS & LECTURES & WORKSHOPS

2015              Artist’s Talk. Rusted Iron in DUMBO [Seongdong-gu, Seoul, KR]. 31 July 2015.
2008              Lecture. Cooperation and Participation in Overseas NGOs [Yongsan-gu, Seoul, KR]. 17 Jan. 2008.
2007              Lecture. Make-A-Wish Korea [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR]. 2 Nov. 2007.
                      Lecture. Kangnam University [Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 2007.
2006              Lecture. Korea NGO Council for Overseas Development Cooperation [Mapo-gu, Seoul, KR]. 6 June 2006.
2005              Workshop. Ilsan Child Care Center [Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 5 May 2005.
2004              Lecture. Naejung Middle School [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR]. 2004.

COLLECTIONS

2020              Seoul Metropolitan Government [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR].
2016              Jennifer Jooah Kim [Yongsan-gu, Seoul, KR].
                      Alfred Peter Olivera [Mount Vernon, NY, US].
2015              One Alloy [Incheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR].
2014              School of Visual Arts MFA Photography, Video and Related Media [New York, NY, US].
2013              Junwon Sohn [Incheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR].
2012              Ophelia Chong [Los Angeles, CA, US].
                      Dennis Keeley [Pasadena, CA, US].
                      Roderick Smith & Linda Miller [Los Angeles, CA, US].
2011              Lorne M. Buchman [Pasadena, CA, US].
2010              Fullcity Coffee [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR].
                      Oolee Institute of Photography [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].

AFFILIATIONS

2019–Now    Judge. ASYAAF [Jung-gu, Seoul, KR].
2017–Now    CEO. Plusarts Institute [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].
2005–Now    Official Sponsor. Make-A-Wish Korea [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].
2002–Now    Photographer. June Korea Photography [Gangnam-gu, Seoul, KR].
2016–17    Judge. CA it Awards [New York, NY, US].
2016–17    Cofounder. MayJune Pictures [New York, NY, US].
2015–17     Columnist. NYCultureBeat [New York, NY, US].
2011–13        Volunteer Photographer. SOHO Project [Los Angeles, CA, US].
2012              Documentarian. TEDx ArtCenter College of Design [Pasadena, CA, US].
2010–12        Volunteer Photographer. YWCA [Pasadena, CA, US].
2008–09        Columnist. Hyundai Emille TV Magazine [Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR].
2004              Photojournalist. Artian News [Jongno-gu, Seoul, KR].