Food is Love: sam Jungwoo

sam Jungwoo

Artist Bio:

sam 정우/Jungwoo (he/him) is a queer + Trans Corean immigrant and artist boy, whose creative practice is rooted in giving deeper breath to trans euphoria / grief / love / protection / care / celebration. He creates art as a way to build spaces for deeper curiosity and connection in his unfurling as a diasporic Trans human, as a practice to dream within a system that values disconnection and violence. He is honored to be a collaborator with the House of Kilig, a Trans + Queer diaspora centered collective that utilizes kapwa and kilig as a compass in pursuit of interdisciplinary art creation, teaching artistry, and community organizing. You can find him and more of his art at @sam.doodles.

Artist Statement:

This felt piece “Food is Love” is a reflection of the ways food has served as a catalyst and a source for connection — connecting us with one another, connecting us to our diaspora, connecting us to movements. Food is inherent to our nourishment as Love is.

It says in Korean, “Eat up” or “Eat lots”, which I hear every time I visit my mom, every time I think back to eating on the living room floors with my grandparents. I hear this from my friends who make delicious hotpot and shares abundantly, from childhood friends who make spicy tuna rice balls because they know it’s my favorite.

This piece lends to feeling abundant, in being able to resource and nourish our loved ones, and to understanding that capitalism and imperialism makes access to food and connection difficult, and yet, we continue to find abundance in many forms when we gather and break bread together.

sam’s Food is Love story:

Spelling Note:The artist uses “C” for “Corean” instead of “Korean” to highlight a historical debate surrounding the spelling change during Japan’s occupation of Korea (1910-1945). Scholars suggest that Japan may have altered the English spelling to position itself ahead of Korea alphabetically, symbolizing colonial dominance. By using “C,” the artist aligns with efforts to reclaim cultural pride and honor Korea’s pre-colonial identity. This choice reflects a broader dialogue on heritage and national dignity.

#ArtistsForFoodJustice: Twelve Washington artists from Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities and marginalized identities interpret our monthly Meaning of Food themes through original digital artwork, premiering on the first day of each month. Learn more about this series and the artists here.