Sunmi Yong

Sunmi Yong is an independent curator, producer, writer, and translator from Seoul, currently based in Harlem. Through the lens of performance, she explores quotidian movements and whimsically delivers them into her works. Collaborating across disciplines, she stages performative ideas primarily through printed materials.

Holding an MA in Performance Studies from NYU, she has received multiple grants for her curatorial works and was awarded in 2022
for her translation of the book Performance Performance. For her upcoming project, she is exploring the integration of American Sign Language into performances and the performance-making process, positioning interpreters as performers, all from a hearing person’s perspective.

In her spare time, she often wanders the streets of New York, looking for a space to establish her performance laboratory. She envisions new forms of live arts production and presentation, aiming to create a sustainable environment for performance-makers and thinkers.


During my time at HIAP, I plan to continue the conversations initiated last year at Performa Biennial 23, where I worked mainly on the Finnish Pavilion Without Walls. By engaging with artists, and navigating Helsinki’s vibrant art scene, I will enhance my understanding of the local community in greater depth.

Additionally, as I hope to run a long-term performance-making program or residency where new forms of live arts production and presentation can be imagined, it would be amazing to fully engage myself in learning from HIAP’s experience.

Sunmi Yong’s residency is arranged by HIAP in collaboration with ARKO Arts Council Korea.