ABIGAIL SHIM

Photo by Ailani Wong

For studio arts major Abigail Shim, art is not about external recognition—it’s a medium of intrinsic expression. Shim’s focus on her personal essence is evident immediately upon taking one look at her studio walls.

“I really am making art for myself, rather than for people who are consuming my art,” Shim said. “I feel like it's important because that's where part of the passion comes from.”

With walls lined with self-portraits and adorned with personal artifacts, it is no surprise that growing up Shim had always been creative. Cramming her curriculum full of art classes in high school fueled Shim’s passion for art and eventually led her to Syracuse University, where she honed in on her chosen medium of acrylic paint while also picking up other skills. She recently learned etching, a process where copper is added to acid, ink adheres to it and the design is printed on paper.

Aside from her work inside the studio, Shim has done a variety of commissions, from tattoo designs to TikTok merch.

“Social media helps,” Shim said. “That’s how she—the Tiktoker who commissioned merch designs—found my account.”

Her commissions allow her to make money on the side to buy materials for her work, because as Shim says, funding for SU's studio art students is a problem.

Poor funding, absence of resources and a lack of food options at the Comstock Art Facility— where Shim takes the majority of her classes— are all issues she is trying to resolve through her creation of a campus organization called the SU Artists Coalition. The coalition, co-founded by student Vivian Baltzer and supported by Professor Joanna Spitzer, is an “informal organization” for students studying visual art at SU.

“It aims to address three things: advocacy, education and community,” Shim said. In terms of advocacy, Shim notes that students in SU’s School of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) do not have access to essential software such as the Adobe Suite, while students at other home colleges have access to these resources.

“Doing digital work or for any printmaking practice, you’ll use Adobe.” Shim said.

The goal of the SU Artist’s Coalition is to make these resources accessible for VPA students, as well as provide a support structure and community for students by offering career resources and teaching classes, such as ceramics, to their peers.

“Administrations notoriously depend on a group of students filtering out every four years, so it’s important to maintain a flow of knowledge and continue to hold people accountable,” Shim said.

Through the SU Artist’s Coalition, SU art students will be able to create a space with tangible support, where artists can not only make but sustain their art.

Find Abigail’s work at @abbydoesartyup on Instagram.