Deaf Role Model of the Month: Christine Sun Kim

 

Each month we invite an inspirational or outstanding deaf role model to share their story. This can be from what they’ve learnt, to what they wish they’d have known as well as their best deaf tips.   

Our role model this month is the very talented, Christine Sun Kim. Christine is an award-winning sound artist, performer and activist. Her exhibitions and projects have been on display around the world. Here we get to find out about her journey up until this point. 

Please tell us a little about yourself? (career, family, achievements etc.) 

I’m an American artist living in Berlin. I have two of the cutest kids and one very cute partner, Thomas Mader. Alongside my own practice, I also collaborate with Thomas — we currently have a show at the Wellcome Collection in London called “1880 THAT,” on view through April 6 2026. My career-to-date exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York is also on view, through September 21. 

Did you grow up in the Deaf Community or come to it later in life? 

My family immigrated to California from Korea the year before I was born. My older sister was born Deaf like me, so our parents learned ASL early on. We attended a mainstream public school, but our high school was unique — there were over 100 Deaf students, including 32 in my graduating class of 500. We were always part of the Deaf community.  

What was your experience of education and higher education as a deaf person? 

I received my bachelor’s from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York , where I  worked with interpreters and notetakers, but none of my courses were in art. When I tried to take some evening art classes, they couldn’t provide interpreters because those classes weren’t popular enough with other Deaf students. Luckily, during my last year, I got into one class with an amazing interpreter named Marlene Elliott, who made sure I got everything the class had to offer. After that, I earned my first MFA at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and then a second in Sound at Bard College in upstate New York. That was the program that changed everything. I finally developed my “hearing people” skills and outgrew my “hearing people anxiety.” Since then, I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with people who have given me residencies, awards, and shows.  

When did you first decide you wanted to be an artist and how did you start that journey? 

I always knew I wanted to be an artist from a young age, but only saw it as something possible through selling work at Deaf expos or fairs. Living in New York changed that, I saw that it was possible to make a living as an artist. That mental shift helped me aim higher. My career really began during my residency in Berlin, where I started exploring sound as a medium. That led to a series of other residencies and eventually to my MFA at Bard College.

You later became a sound artist, using sound as the primary focus in your art. What attracted you to that? 

I used to think of sound as oppressive, rigid, and heavy. But Deaf people understand sound very well, maybe even better than we believe. When I began thinking about sound as a medium, I realized I had always ignored it because I wanted to “prove” I could survive and navigate without relying on it. But that wasn’t necessary at all. I began engaging with sound directly, using fancy equipment and everything. It was fun for a couple of years, but I eventually found it too intangible. That’s when I started exploring other aspects of sound, not just low frequencies, and my practice grew and expanded exponentially.  

What are some of your favourite pieces or exhibitions that you’ve created?  

I have so many favorites! But right now, I want to highlight 1880 THAT, a show I created with Thomas. It explores the 1880 Second International Congress on Education of the Deaf in Milan, where hearing delegates from multiple countries voted to remove sign language from Deaf education, a decision whose consequences are still felt today. Thomas and I created many new works for the show, thanks to the support of curator Laurie Britton Newell and producer Matt Nightingale.

My favorite piece from the show is a brick-as-plaque called Heavy on Both Sides. Since there is no memorial for that 1880 event in Milan, we created our own small brick proposal. One side reads “1880,” the other “THAT” -an ASL slang term that emphasizes the historical significance of that year. The piece reflects on how the past and future go hand in hand. Brick manufacturing was once a Victorian family trade, and since Thomas and I are family, the brick symbolizes both building a home for sign language and throwing it as an act of protest or defense. You can even buy a brick in the museum shop!  

You use a lot of humour in your art. Why is that important?  

Humor helps people stay in the room with me.  

What advice would you give to deaf aspiring artists? 

Be smart with your decisions. It will help you avoid unnecessary extra steps. Also, be thoughtful about the information you have — and what you choose to share.  

Who inspires you and why? (In the deaf community or otherwise) 

I look up to so many of my Deaf peers. Right now, I want to give a shoutout to three Deaf British individuals who were involved in the planning of 1880 THAT: Cathy Mager, Christopher Liang, and Damaris Cooke.  

What ways do you think hearing people can be allies to the deaf community? Any DOs and DON’Ts? 

Sometimes, even with good intentions, their actions can be harmful to the community. That’s why it’s so important to collaborate with respect.  

3 top tips for deaf people? (e.g. everyday life/learning/communicating/ socialising/travelling etc.) 

Cardzilla app for phones, Orbiting.com for both phones and desktops, and booze.  

To read more inspirational role model interviews, take a look here. If you would like to be an ally to the deaf community and learn sign language, check out our courses here.

Looking for more support? We’ve made it our mission to improve the lives of deaf people everywhere. Check out Deaf Unity’s projects to find out what we can do for you. If you’d like to get in touch, contact us here.

 

Filed in: Real life stories