Tori Hong

2020 Early-Career Research and Development Grantee | $2,500

“Coming home” in the face of gentrification – learning traditional craft arts

What does coming home mean as a queer, second generation American? What does coming home mean when Hmong and Korean people have historically been displaced by discrimination, genocide, and war? What does coming home mean as an adult renter in the face of gentrification? In this project, Hong will explore these questions through the lenses of traditional craft arts (paj ntaub and hanji), leading to the creation of a wheat-pasted public art project.

Tori Hong is an independent illustrator, community-based curator, and public artist practicing in Minneapolis. Hong explores the connections between art and ancestors, using bold lines, vibrant colors, and deep trust in her work. Through this grant, Hong will study and practice traditional Hmong and Korean folk arts in order to create a contemporary public art piece that weaves together her findings.

Forecast has been offering early-career artist grants supported by Jerome Foundation since 1989. In addition to funding, Forecast is dedicated to providing professional development and learning opportunities designed to assist emerging artists as they experiment/ hone their practices, and cultivate careers in the field. Forecast mid- and early-career grants are designed to support independent projects, leadership development, professional development, risk-taking, multidisciplinary approaches, and collaborative problem-solving in the field of public art.