Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dave Young Kim. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dave Young, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents, like many immigrant parents, led by example rather than explicit instruction. They instilled in me resilience, work ethic, and a deep sense of responsibility—not just to myself but to my community.

One of the things they did right was teaching me the value of perseverance. My parents worked tirelessly to build a life in a country that wasn’t always welcoming. My father, a small business owner, put in long hours, and my mother had to sacrifice in so many ways. Watching them navigate these challenges, I learned that setbacks weren’t reasons to quit but opportunities to push forward.

I remember a time when I struggled with the decision to pursue art seriously. The idea of a stable, traditional career was always present in our household—like many immigrant families, security was paramount. But when I finally committed to art, my parents, despite their initial reservations, supported me in their own way. They may not have fully understood the path, but they respected hard work, and once they saw my dedication, they backed me. That trust fueled me, giving me the confidence to take risks in my career.

Their influence is present in my work today—not just in the themes I explore, like identity and displacement, but also in how I approach my practice. Their sacrifices remind me that art, at its core, is about storytelling and connecting people across experiences.

Dave Young, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Dave Young Kim, a Korean American artist and muralist based in Los Angeles. My work is rooted in storytelling, identity, and community, often reflecting the immigrant experience, cultural memory, and the complexities of displacement. Through murals, paintings, and other creative projects, I explore themes of belonging and transformation, engaging deeply with the communities I work in to create meaningful, site-specific art.

Art has always been a part of my life, but the path to becoming a full-time artist wasn’t straightforward. I initially pursued more traditional career options, influenced by the immigrant mindset of seeking stability. However, after earning my MFA from Mills College, I committed fully to my artistic practice. What drew me into murals, in particular, was their accessibility—public art allows people to engage with storytelling outside of a gallery space, creating connections between art, place, and history.

My work spans both personal and public art, with a strong focus on murals and community-driven projects. I lead projects that incorporate historical research and local voices, ensuring that the work resonates with the people who live and interact with it daily. What sets me apart is my dedication to embedding personal and collective narratives into my work—whether it’s a large-scale mural in Koreatown honoring diverse immigrant communities or a mural in Seattle’s Beacon Hill representing Asian American identity through the symbolism of birds.

I also co-founded the Korean American Artists Collective (KAAC) in 2020, a group dedicated to amplifying the voices of Korean American artists and providing resources for collaboration, exhibition, and creative growth. This initiative has helped build a stronger network for underrepresented artists while fostering discussions around identity and social justice.

Seeing community members engage with a mural, share their stories, or feel seen in a piece of public art is what makes this work meaningful. One of my most fulfilling projects was a mural in Pasadena that depicted 38 birds, each representing a different Asian Pacific Islander nation, symbolizing migration and the search for home. The response from the community—people recognizing themselves in the imagery, sharing their own stories—confirmed why I do this work.

Whether through a mural, painting, or collaborative project, my goal is to create art that resonates with people on a deeper level—art that acknowledges history, celebrates identity, and inspires dialogue. I want my work to be a bridge between personal narratives and shared experiences, allowing people to see themselves reflected in public spaces.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my journey as an artist came early in my mural career when I was working on a large public art project. I had poured months into designing a piece that was deeply personal—rooted in community narratives and historical research. However, just as I was about to begin painting, the project was unexpectedly canceled due to bureaucratic red tape. It was a devastating blow—not only had I invested so much time and effort, but I had also formed deep connections with the community members who had contributed their stories.

I remember feeling completely defeated, questioning whether pursuing public art was worth the constant uphill battles. But instead of walking away, I channeled that frustration into action. I found alternative ways to showcase the stories I had gathered, incorporating them into new works and proposals. Eventually, that persistence paid off—I was commissioned for another mural that allowed me to take everything I learned and bring narratives to life in a different neighborhood. That experience taught me an invaluable lesson: setbacks are inevitable, but they don’t define the journey. It’s the ability to pivot, adapt, and keep pushing forward that makes the difference.

Since then, I’ve approached every challenge with that mindset. Whether it’s funding hurdles, logistical nightmares, or projects falling through, I remind myself that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, evolve, and find new ways to create. Resilience, for me, is not just about enduring difficulties—it’s about finding a way to keep telling the stories that matter.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To best support artists and cultivate a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to prioritize access, sustainability, and representation in the arts.

1. Financial Support & Funding Opportunities
Increased public and private funding for artists, including grants, fellowships, and artist residencies that are accessible and not overly bureaucratic.
More fair pay for artists in public and private commissions—artists shouldn’t be expected to work for “exposure” alone.
Expansion of corporate and philanthropic sponsorships that directly invest in local and underrepresented artists.

2. Affordable Spaces for Creation & Exhibition
Cities and organizations should provide affordable studio spaces, exhibition venues, and workspaces to prevent artists from being displaced due to rising costs.
Repurposing vacant buildings and public spaces into community-driven art hubs where artists can create and share their work.

3. Arts Education & Youth Engagement
More arts education funding in schools ensures that creativity is nurtured from an early age, especially in underserved communities.
Mentorship programs connect emerging artists with established professionals, helping them navigate career sustainability.

4. Accessibility & Inclusion
Prioritizing equity in the arts, ensuring diverse voices and perspectives are represented in galleries, museums, and public spaces.
Creating more opportunities for BIPOC and immigrant artists to tell their own stories on their terms.
Making arts experiences accessible to all, including free or low-cost entry to museums, art fairs, and performances.

5. Stronger Community & Institutional Support
Encouraging local businesses and city governments to commission and support public art.
Strengthening artist organizations and collectives that advocate for fair treatment, contracts, and protections.
Building artist networks that facilitate collaboration, resource-sharing, and skill-building.

At the heart of a thriving creative ecosystem is one where artists don’t have to struggle to survive but are given the resources to truly thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://daveyoungkim.com
• Instagram: @daveyoungkim
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daveyoungkim/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveyoungkim

Image Credits

CKPhoto

Courtesy of USC/Gus Ruelas