In Conversation with Muralist Gina Kim

This interview was conducted and written by Brittany Valentine, editor of Hey Philly.

Gina Kim is the artist behind the “We Dreamt an Orchard This Way” mural that focuses on the Chinatown neighborhood. Mural Arts Philadelphia chose her mural in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Awareness Month in May. I spoke to Kim about her process.

How did this mural come to fruition?

The Porch Light Program, a branch of Mural Arts that focuses on healing and mental wellness, wanted to bring awareness and healing to the AAPI communities following a rise in hate crimes since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

How did you collect community feedback during the design process?

There were four main events where residents shared their definitions of community and what Chinatown means to them. It was a very enlightening experience and made Chinatown that much more special to me once I realized how vast the web of community stemming from Chinatown actually spreads.

What is the meaning behind the mural title?

The mural’s title is a line from the Ross Gay poem “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude,” written about his time spent in Philadelphia. It speaks so much to the human experience, personal and public relationships, and the complexity of every individual’s inner world. It felt like an appropriate title to encompass such a rich history and acknowledge the hard work it takes a community to bring life to a place.