PROFILE

All About Iris Kang

As a child, I have always loved art. Although I began my love for art early, I began to paint and draw professionally much later--in the Summer of 2017. 
Experiences and beliefs form an identity. And that identity is cultivated through relationships. As a female, asian child, I never had a role model who encouraged me to live up to my fullest potential. No one encouraged me to freely express my thoughts and opinions. No one encouraged me to explore my interests. Male leaders bombard television, hospitals, high government positions, Fortune 500, lack strong female figure to empower young girls so that they can pursue the most lofty of dreams.
It was not until middle school, that I finally got to explore the internet and to find the hidden female, asian treasures of role models such as: Yuna Kim, Tokyo Rose, Amy Tan, Lisa Ling, Angela Lee Duckworth, or Chien-Shiung Wu. These women broke from stereotypes and shattered expectations. Women talented in sports, with words, and science; all fields where men dominate but these women against all odds prevailed and became inspirational to girls everywhere. I felt a sense of injustice--how could I have been deprived for so long? t These role models deserved more attention.
Like the ladies who audaciously paved the way, I want to pave the road for young girls who aspire to become an artist or any other innovator. I want to conjure up my childhood ideals and imagination and make them into reality through my creations. I want to comment on human conditions. I want to challenge notions and stretch boundaries. I want to have a voice through my work and encourage young girls to do the same. Unlike me, I hope they are not deprived of a role model; I want to be the one to encourage them not to be afraid to express their thoughts and feelings, that they can speak up loud and clear and be empowered to dare to dream big. Sometimes, one just has to start before believing its “stupid” or “not good enough”, even if it is stupid or not good enough, in the end it is still worth a try. That is the message I want to give out in my art.