Okja Kwon

Okja Kwon is a Lecturer in the Department of Art and Design at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, focusing on critical thinking and writing education. She also works as a cultural strategist and editor with artists, creatives, and educational institutions. Born in South Korea and a transracial adoptee, her art explores themes of identity, nationalism, belonging, and fragmented memories.

Education:

• BFA in Painting and Drawing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• BFA in Print & Narrative Forms, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• MS in Cultural Foundations of Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Research Interests: Kwon’s scholarship examines the intersection of archived histories, nationalism, and marginalized communities. Her work critiques systems of exclusion and explores the repair and rebuilding of relationships through art. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, with past research addressing family detention policies and their cultural/legal implications.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with artists and institutions on cultural projects, though specific lab affiliations are not detailed.