Meet iri kim | kaleidoscopic artist + yoga teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with iri kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi iri, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Hi, I’m Iri. I am a South Korean American who was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. My parents were young immigrants in their early twenties and worked really hard for our lives. This has attributed greatly to my work ethic and perception of what it takes to find success and I am grateful for all of the lessons they have taught me.

Although I worked really hard to fit in growing up as best I could, nothing could change that I was a minority among my peers. I think this was a fact that I had a hard time accepting for a while. I wanted to be liked, understood, and seen – but all that was seen of me were my differences.

There came a time when I started to accept my differences as just that – differences, and not hinderances. It started to give me a new found confidence and the struggle that I felt being alone became my armor because I knew I was capable of spending that time understanding myself further.

You can work really, really hard at fitting in, getting people to like you – but true peace comes when you accept that all of these flaws that you think make you “other” than – are actually your superpowers. It was a hard but good lesson that I was fortunate to go through at a young age, and it has impacted me for the better as a woman.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multi-faceted artist. I grew up dancing in the local studio, took painting classes, classical piano lessons, and sang in my church praise team. It formed me into the artist I am today. I have a bachelor’s degree in art studio with a concentration in painting and I have continued to dance as I have progressed over the years from student into dancer and choreographer. I am very grateful that I have an understanding of differing art forms, because I am able to explore and discover levels and layers that they intricately carry.

It has not been easy overcoming the challenges of creating art in many styles. Many times I have asked myself if I should focus on just one thing and let go of the others. However, over time and experience, I believe I have learned how to find the balance between both pursuing my passions and facing reality to a degree as well. Balance is met when both are honored.

My yoga practice has grounded me as a human being and an artist as well and I can’t wait to see how I can find a harmonious fusion of it with the different art styles I pursue in my life.

I want the world to know that being iridescent means being kaleidoscopic. Multi-colored, faceted and ironic too. Just like when you see an oil spill on the ground or a rainbow after a terrifying storm. My brand is about dissecting that very nuance. The things that make you glance and then glance again because of it’s misunderstood, hidden, and often times … flickering beauty.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would want to share all of my very favorite things with my best friend. I love to get out into nature if I can. I would take them to Kennesaw Mountain if they wanted a view and if they wanted a truly Georgian summer experience we could float on the river that you can access through East Palisades Trail. I am a foodie and we’d definitely take a trip to Korea town in Duluth and end with a spa/sauna experience. Atlanta has so many events happening at all times whether it’s music festivals, yoga in the park, or farmers markets – I am so happy to call it my home now!

The most interesting people to me are the ones who are unapologetically themselves. The ones out here who are passionately, fearlessly pursuing the life of their dreams are the ones whom I always gravitate to learning more about. May we all innovate our lives and become the people we strive to be. Peace, peace, peace.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my best friend and husband DH, my sweet son caspi, and my fur babes eevee & malachi – you are my greatest inspirations. I create because you give me life.

I have so many teachers and coaches who hold a special place in my heart. Those who believed in me and helped me grow in my love of the arts. Who taught me how to overcome the fear and to never hinder myself from growing. You are the reason I still learn and pursue my love of movement today. Thank you so very much.

Website: https://iridkim.com

Instagram: @iridkim

Linkedin: @iridkim

Facebook: @iridkim

Youtube: @iridkim

Image Credits
Ally Troy.