Juwan Moon

Juwan Moon was born on September 20, 1998, in Bucheon, South Korea. From a young age, he displayed a natural inclination toward art, using everyday materials to recreate his observations. His parents nurtured his passion by taking him to art galleries and museums. This exposure to diverse artistic expressions fueled his desire to become an artist. Moon’s artistic journey was further influenced by philosophical readings and his education at Gerrit Rietveld Academie (GRA), where he confronted and explored deep existential questions through his work. 

For Best of Graduates 2024, Juwan Moon presents an examination of human existence and emotional conflict through performance and video works. Moon’s art delves into the complexities of psychological trauma, obsession, and the search for meaning. His performances, captured on video, employ ceramics to represent the unpredictability and fluidity of life. By relinquishing control and allowing the materials to dictate the outcome, Moon mirrors the human experience of grappling with existence and the inherent lack of control we face.

InCrash Experiment with Ceramic Heads, Moon hangs clay heads in Newton’s cradles, crashing them together as a performer acts as an external force. When a head breaks, it is replaced, symbolizing the consuming nature of violent situations. This performance critiques how individuals confront each other based on superficial differences like nationality, while the audience’s reactions underscore the desensitization to repeated acts of violence.