“I almost feel like I’m descending further into his, or the psyche,” Naveen Hernandez (‘26) described, walking down the library staircase at Jake Kim’s (‘26) art exhibition. At every turn of the staircase, a different feeling awaits the viewer. Photos captured needles in hands, arrows in hearts, Jake in a chair, isolated by the ocean. Through all the chaos, Jake’s art exhibition was calm and intentional — a testament to his hard work over the years. 

On September 17th, at 3:00 p.m., a swarm of students gathered in the library to see Jake’s art exhibition, “Love Invents Its Own Violence.” His exhibition followed the AP Art curriculum, where the artist takes something important to them and utilizes it in their artwork. This is Jake’s second time completing the AP Art curriculum through honors digital media at Bishop’s.

Most people know Jake as the founder of Go For a Better World and a golfer, but Jake’s talent for photography and art was an unmined gem to most. Even his advisor, World History Teacher Mrs. Anne Fierberg, was surprised. “I had no idea of the extent to which he engaged with photography … he’s just so casual about it,” she said. Most people who attended Jake’s art exhibition did not expect him to be a photographer. But Jake began taking Photography and Digital Media in his freshman year. 

Gallery • 6 Photos

Arielle Bader

Jake pictured with Ms. Wepsic and his mom Euna Cho, whom he said guided him greatly as mentors in his artist journey through high school.

Jake largely has an extroverted personality, but keeps his artwork on his introverted side. “I don’t really talk about art with people because the subject deals with human emotion and the negative side of it. A lot of them have to do with my struggles. So if I explain it to them, it seems like I’m not okay,” Jake said. 

Jake credits his “2:00 a.m. impulsive thoughts” as the inspiration behind his artwork. In his exhibition, Jake explores the balance between love and violence and how love is a strong and powerful bond between people. “All human beings have an emotional side. And a lot of that is love. It doesn’t have to be stupid, like a high school crush type of love. But it’s more of love and respect,” Jake explained

Art Teacher Ms. Elizabeth Wepsic explained that in this exhibition, Jake plays with the idea of “an internal turmoil of love and hate for yourself.” He “is so expressive with [his] art because these ideas are very personal matters to him.”

Through his exhibition, Jake hoped to showcase the more thoughtful and emotional side of himself — before he graduates. His exhibition contains works spanning from Jake’s junior year up until now. It’s “a cumulation of art, but also emotions,” Jake said. 

Jake also emphasized the dangers of love — in particular, obsessive love—and how the absence of love can be a proponent of violence. “You spend a lot of time with this person and then, suddenly, this person is no longer with you. So when someone you love is not present in your life, you get this emotional damage that is so big that it’s almost like an axe. Like physical violence.” Love should not be rejected, but it should also not consume you, Jake explains. 

Naveen, who attended the event, pondered what Jake’s art was supposed to convey: “It’s interesting how Jake juxtaposes very simple and everyday objects and combines them with really shocking and unexpected elements like arrows or needles,” he noted.

Ceramics Teacher Mr. Jeremy Gercke observed this within Jake’s pieces as well. When viewing the portrait of Jake’s hands, he described, “It seems like tension between your hands, and it’s very fascinating how they interact with space and how we use them with strength.” 

Mr. Gercke’s favorite piece of the exhibition was the hands holding needles. “I can imagine having to hold all those pieces at the same time. And that seems like a feat in and of itself,” he said. He added that he had an immediate reaction of “pain and pressure at the same time.” 

Jake’s mom, Ms. Euna Cho, commented on Jake’s artistic journey. “He’s trying to engage with the audience, with the pieces,” she said. “He moved to more about himself, and he explored the inner struggle with the things he can find everywhere.”

No matter who it is —  Jake’s mom, Ms. Wepsic, Mrs. Fierberg, or Jake himself — they all agreed on one thing: Jake’s art has allowed him to grow as a person and given him a means of expressing himself, wholeheartedly, to the world. Jake’s exhibition, “Love Invents Its Own Violence,” will remain in the library until October 24th. To experience it yourself, head to the stairs and descend into Jake’s vision!