Luc Joo Baya

Existence, Resistance, Persistence stems from a deeply personal exploration of identity, cultural heritage, and historical struggles. Using a mixed-media approach, the multi-layered artworks seek to capture the complexities of preserving and integrating the cultural legacy of being raised by Kabyle first-generation immigrant parents, while also maintaining the artist's own Korean origins. The project merges these heritages through political narratives and themes of resilience, self-determination and the interactions between identity, culture, and history. This is reflected in the Korean artwork’s focus on historical political turmoil fueled by imperialist pressures and in the Kabyle piece’s emphasis on Algeria’s fight against French colonialism and the pursuit of Kabyle cultural recognition. While the work reflects on the histories that have shaped both regions, it simultaneously stands as a tribute to the countless past and present movements worldwide, fighting against oppression and for the survival of democracy & cultural identities. The work also emphasizes the enduring legacies of resilience in the face of colonialism and imperialism. By blending and presenting personal and collective histories together, the artist reflects on the shared experiences of overcoming adversity and the impact of these histories on shaping identities and perspectives.