On Thursday, March 19, Steven Shik, Beloit’s 2026 Ginsberg Artist-in-Residence, crowned his week-long residency here at our college with a keynote speech in the Richardson auditorium. Through a moving 2-hour long presentation, he illustrated his process of becoming the person and artist he is today; a culmination of all the experiences and parts of his life. 

Shikhails from Detroit and works as an illustration teacher at the College for Creative Studies while being a professional artist. On his visit to Beloit, he showcased his work and his wisdom; presenting his art in an exhibition at the Wright Museum that is available till Apr. 4 and visiting a variety of classes, offering guidance to students. 

Shik began his presentation with a “lore dump” about where he began his life. 

Born in Seoul, South Korea to unknown parents, he was swiftly picked up by a for-profit adoption agency, Holt. All the information he had from his early childhood was held in a folder titled with his birth name, “Oh Min Shik.” Shik shared that, after the Korean War, South Korea established a massive adoption program (that later was deemed fraud and malfeasance), where they brought children, often under the justification that they came from broken homes, and unwed mothers, to Western adoption agencies such as Holt. On St. Patrick’s Day, 1985, his adoptive parents, the Addams, brought him to their home in Jackson, Michigan and named him Steven Addams. He was only 4 months old. Shik spoke about his connection with St. Patrick’s day, considering it as “a second birthday of sorts.”. He reflected on sharing the holiday with us this past Tuesday as he looks back on his life.

Growing up in Jackson, Shik felt culturally distant because of his peculiar circumstances. He was American in every way, but he was still treated differently because of the way he looked. “This emotional disconnection created isolated shame that made me reluctant to explore my origins, let alone create art about it,” Shik said at the keynote on Thursday. This experience of being ethnically Korean but with almost no cultural background has been a deep influence on his artistic career and relationship with his own identity. 

Shik always had an interest in art, from an early love for alternative forms such as heavy metal music and 90’s animated superhero shows. He shared many artists and pictures that inspired him, from gritty images from “The Crow” to the vivid abstract illustrations of James Jean. Shik encouraged us to look into the art that resonates with us and explore why.

It wasn’t until college that he made the decision to pursue art seriously. On the precipice of dropping out he took a 2d art class that cemented his decision and spurred him on. 

In 2009, Shik followed his passion for art and transferred to the Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During this time, he explored different artistic mediums like photography and screen printing. He experimented with narrative in art, using the form to contemplate his identity. Many of his motifs that are still present in his art today found their origins during this time. One of these symbols is the metronome, which to Shik represents how human beings fruitlessly grasp at the inevitable passage of time. 

After graduating from Kendall, he moved to Detroit working at a vegetarian diner and making art on the side. Life got in the way, as it so often does, and Shik’s dedication to art was sidelined for many years. Around 30 years of age, he rediscovered his passion when he began sketchbooking the sights around him. Many artists struggle with high expectations and profit incentives, but Shik stresses, “just doing art sometimes, is good enough.” Shik encourages students to pursue art as a career, but underscores the fact that its true value is implicit. 

Around 2016, he continued to ground his career on a personal level. He adopted his old surname “Shik,” and began selling his work under his current name. While also being catchy, it highlights the deep connection to his upbringing and background, something which can be seen in all his work. There is a very provocative self portrait, made in shades of emerald green, where Shik has 3 pins on his coat, one depicting Seoul, another of Jackson, and one with the Irish clover in the middle. This desire to embrace his heritage continued after he participated in a group art show, called “20 Americans,” which featured the works of prominent Asian-American artists. Shik found himself to be the only non-culturally asian person, and has since questioned the meaning of identity and citizenship. Because of his unique circumstance, Shik has felt the struggle of not fitting in, and adhering to the expectations and prejudices of others. But he encourages that, “there will be people who tell you your vision isn’t valid, but it is. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

He recently embraced his identity in his 2022 art show “Planned Obsolescence.” He blends popular cultural motifs into his art style, such as the Mungunhwa, or “Rose of Sharon.” Nicknamed the Eternal Blossom that Never Fades, it is a poignant symbol of Korea. His work uses thick, vibrant colors in surreal scenes of rural highways and dimly lit apartment apartments. It often depicts birds, such as the magpie, another popular symbol of Korea, and vultures, reminding us of death’s shadowy presence. The most powerful and moving moment in his keynote was toward the end. Shik described the loss of his step-father to lung cancer, and how he sketched out his last days confined to the couch and hooked up to an oxygen tank. Death may come, but memories live on within the sketches. It was a striking reminder of the immortalizing power of art, and the everlasting presence of love. It reminds us how art opens up our inner mind, offering therapeutic release in our most difficult times.

Steven Shik exists as a wonderful role model for aspiring artists and anyone looking to find their own voice in whatever medium that may take, proving how success and ability comes from within. He has shown only love for our community, saying, “It has been an awesome experience [being at Beloit], lots of fun. I learned a lot from the students, and it has been very validating.” If you are interested in checking out his work for yourself, consider visiting the Wright Museum before April 4th, or his instagram “Steven Shik” or website stevenshik.com. He also makes daily comic strips at dplx.cmx. 

_{Featured image: Steven Shik}