[In-Depth Interview - Person] President Kim Hyung-hee of the Korea Disabled Culture and Arts Institute

[In-depth Interview - Person] Kim Hyung-hee, Chairperson of the Korea Disabled Culture and Arts Foundation

She assumed office as the third chairperson of the Korea Disabled Culture and Arts Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the Foundation), the youngest and the first female with a disability, in December 2021. This interview was conducted in Chairperson Kim Hyung-hee’s (hereinafter referred to as Chairperson Kim) office on the 4th floor of the Daehak-ro Eum Center, to celebrate her appointment and to discuss the vision and goals she has for the Foundation’s future.

At that time, the interview lasted for a long 3 hours, but it was not reported. Then, on November 29, 2023, at the ‘Modu Art Theater,’ Chairperson Kim announced the Foundation’s medium- and long-term mission and vision.

One of the remarks made by Chairperson Kim during her appointment interview remains etched in my memory.

“I did not come to this position because I coveted the role of chairperson. When I was offered this position, I came with an understanding of the difficulties and problems facing the disabled arts scene, and a vision for transformative change. I want to be a ‘practical chairperson’ who actively reflects the voices of those on the ground, rather than a figurehead who just gives congratulatory speeches at events. To achieve this goal, I intend to work hard with the staff.”

From now on...

Let’s delve into Chairperson Kim’s activities through this series.

• Introduction
  Chairperson Kim Hyung-hee is a disabled artist herself, and a field activist who has experienced many issues within the disabled arts scene firsthand, leading disabled arts organizations. She has transformed into a disabled rights and arts advocate, becoming a voice for the harsh realities of disabled culture and arts.

** Life Journey
Let’s briefly look into Chairperson Kim’s life journey through the preface of her autobiography, ‘Kim Hyung-hee, a Beautiful Woman Dancing on Canvas.’

I was a dancer who freely spun, leaped, and soared on stage, expressing the beauty of movement. However, one day, my feet stopped.
An illness that prevented my thoughts about movement from reaching my body… Spinal cord injury and complete paralysis.
My dreams were shattered, and thoughts of pain, despair, sorrow, and death filled my mind. However, as a person with complete paralysis who could not even move a single finger, I was unable to choose death either.
And...
The painting that became a seed of hope in the depths of my soul… the free movements on stage from a distant memory become dots, lines, and planes, dancing freely on a white canvas.

“Being able to express the freedom of movement is a blessing of beauty.”