Who is Christine Sun Kim and why did she receive a MacArthur Fellowship?

Christine Sun Kim is a Korean American artist known for visual and sound works. The MacArthur Foundation said her work powerfully conveys the experiences of deaf people and opens new ways of understanding sound and hearing.

How much is the MacArthur grant for Christine Sun Kim?

She is one of 20 individuals chosen to receive the MacArthur Fellowship grant of $800,000. The foundation described the award as no-strings-attached and intended for people with exceptional creativity and potential.

Where is Christine Sun Kim based and what recent recognition has she received?

Kim is currently based in Berlin. The article says she ranked No. 34 on ArtReview’s Power 100 list last year and recently appeared on Time’s Time 100 Art list.

Korean American artist Christine Sun Kim named MacArthur Fellow

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Summary

Korean American artist Christine Sun Kim has been named a MacArthur Fellow by the MacArthur Foundation. She is one of 20 recipients of the $800,000 no-strings-attached grants for people with exceptional creativity and potential. The foundation said her work explores the complexities deaf people face in a world centered on sound and spoken communication. Kim is based in Berlin, and her work is on view at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art through Nov. 29.

Key Facts

The MacArthur Foundation said Kim was one of 20 people selected for this year’s MacArthur Fellowships.
Each fellowship comes with an $800,000 no-strings-attached grant.
Kim was born in California and is currently based in Berlin.
Last year, Kim ranked No. 34 on ArtReview’s Power 100 list and was also included on Time’s Time 100 Art list.
Her work Have Many Dumb Fights Against Rock is on view at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art through Nov. 29.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 30, 2026 2:52 pm KST

Christine Sun Kim speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) in Seoul, July 31. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Korean American artist Christine Sun Kim, known for her visual and sound works, has been named a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowships, dubbed the genius grants, the MacArthur Foundation said.

Kim was one of the 20 individuals selected to receive the $800,000 no-strings-attached grants given to individuals who have shown exceptional creativity and potential, according to the foundation Tuesday (U.S. time).

"She engages with the complexities deaf people experience in a world that prioritizes sound and spoken forms of communication. ... Kim's work powerfully conveys the experiences of deaf people and opens up new ways of understanding sound and hearing," the foundation said.

Born in California and currently based in Berlin, Kim has long explored the themes of sound, language and communication through her works across drawings, performances, videos and installations.

Last year, she ranked No. 34 on British contemporary art publication ArtReview's "Power 100" list and recently made the Innovators list on U.S. weekly Time's "Time 100 Art" list.

Kim's work "Have Many Dumb Fights Against Rock" is on view at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art through Nov. 29.

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