I am a teacher foremost and an artist second. Teaching is the primary craft to which I dedicate my time and efforts. 

My practice and my commitment to education and mentorship stem from experiences with trauma, mental health, and investigation of identity. This is a path I chose in no small part because I want to be present as a kind adult in the lives of young folks. I hold myself accountable to create work that elicits compassion, offers space and time for introspection, and serves as a reminder to look beyond the narrow scope that so often entraps each of us. Vulnerability, trust, and exchange are significant aspects of my work. I share my stories so that others might feel comfortable to do so also.

Death is a subject I think about daily—because it is something we all share. It unites us and gives us ground to empathize with one another. Mourning and remembrance are deeply embedded in my work. But so are celebration, joy, and love—experiences that we cherish with our loved ones, even when the experiences and people have long passed.

My tools are graphite, text, and acrylic paint. My inspirations are my past, my culture, and my Christian faith. I reflect as a habit so that I always remember how fortunate I am to be working and living in my passion.

Teaching and Artist Portfolio (English and Spanish)

Bio

Esther Jun (she/her) is a first-generation Korean-American Art Teacher and Artist. She received her BFA in 2015 from Cornell University and her MA in Art Education in 2023 from The City College of New York (CCNY). Following her undergraduate education, Jun worked in a number of administrative roles at arts-focused organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Pratt Institute. Jun pivoted her professional direction in 2022 when she joined CCNY’s MA program. Since then, she has focused on growing herself as a social justice-oriented and compassion-centered educator.

Jun was born in 1993 in Seoul, South Korea. She immigrated to the United States in 2003 and gained her US citizenship in 2015.

CV

Contact

estherjun01@gmail.com

(Updated in July 2024)