WyJoungKou

Interdisciplinary Creator. Taiko Drummer. Arts Worker. Educator.

Large scale mosaic mural features large yellow and pink oyster mushrooms, and two big snakes on carefully finished live edge wood slabs.

Mycelium: Interdependence in the Undergrowth. 16' long multi-component mosaic mural, Wy Joung Kou, 2022. Acquired by Art Bank Canada (2023). Photography: Brandon Claridal Photography.

BIOGRAPHY

Wy Joung Kou is an interdisciplinary artist, arts worker, and arts educator based in Treaty 13 Territory, Toronto. Their body of work spans many disciplines including mosaic, public art, performance, composition, video and installation. Grounded in a disability justice framework centering relationship and interdependence, their artistic practice is rooted in intentions to foster cultures of care, access, and community growth.

They are passionate about the role of mentorship in thriving arts communities and have had opportunities to share knowledge through a variety of panels and mentorship programs, with organizations such as Creative Connector; ReDefine Arts; Mural Routes; Neighbourhood Arts Network; North York Arts; Tangled Arts + Disability.

Photography: Lemons & Ants Studios

Wy-J has exhibited, produced commissioned work, and gained recognition as an independent mosaic artist within the disability arts sector in Toronto. Notable shows include HELD (co-solo with Anna Camilleri, Tangled Arts + Disability 2023), CoMotion Festival (Harbourfront Centre 2022), This Is A Tiger (DesignTO Festival 2021), Access Is Love and Love Is Complicated (Critical Distance Gallery, 2020), ILGBT Artist Residency Retrospective Exhibition (The ArQuives, 2019), TSG: Say My Name (Gladstone Hotel, 2018), and CRIP INTERIORS (Project Creative Users, 2017 & 2015). In 2023, Wy-J was honoured to have their work included in the Canada Art Bank’s 50^th anniversary collection acquisitions.

16 foot long outdoor mosaic mural mounted on brick wall. Mural depicts undulating hills, an underground river, and 8 bubbles growing in size that show tulips from their sprouting stage to blooming stage.

White wall gallery filled with hanging sculptures which project shadows all over the walls. Pebble mosaic installations occupy the floor space, and wall mosaic occupies the far wall.

ceramic and glass wall mosaic depicts a hand, made out of orange glass, gently dropping colourful gems from it's grasp.

Green and blue video projection on a wall shows a winding river surrounded by lush greenery. Silhouette of a reaching hand overlays over the river. In front of the wall, hanging orb like scultures hang and cast their shadows onto the projection.

(Top) StreetHealth Community Mosaic Project (338 Dundas St E). 16' long mosaic mural. Design & project lead by Wy Joung Kou, 2018 with support from ReDefine Arts. Photography: Zoe Gemelli.

(Bottom) HELD, co-solo show (Wy Joung Kou & Anna Camilleri) presented by Tangled Arts & Disability, in partnership with ReDefine Arts, 2023. Immersive & Interactive Installation: Ceramic & Glass Mosaic / Pebble Mosaic / Video / Sculpture. Supported by the Ontario Arts Council & Toronto Arts Council. Photography: Felicia Byron.

Wy-J has been a Performing Member of RAW Taiko since 2019. Outside of local and international performance with the ensemble, they work as Studio RAW’s Operations Manager, a taiko educator, an emerging composer, and hold Co-Director credits for projects including Toronto Taiko Festival (2024 & 2026) and Moving Between (RAW Taiko theatrical production, 2025).

Independent taiko collaboration credits include Unchanging and changing and changing (Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 2023), PIGEONHOLE (Reel Asian: X, 2023) and The Mermaid Project (Caminos Festival, 2021). Preceding their full-time work with RAW, Wy-J had the privilege of working and collaborating for nearly a decade with ReDefine Arts in the realms of community-engaged art, permanent public art, large scale mosaic production, digital storytelling, and more, in Toronto and rural Ontario.

At this time the main focus of their practice currently lies in taiko, striving to support liberatory movements, both personal and collective, through their work at the drum.

CV available upon request

Wy-J faces a huge 4' diameter drum in front of them. They play the drum in a wide legged stance with their arms overhead.

Photography: Vince Ha

Toronto Taiko Festival. KUMI: Beta Together, Original repertoire workshop by Wy Joung Kou, 2024. Photography: Mich Chiu

Wy Joung Kou

Interdisciplinary Creator. Taiko Drummer. Arts Worker. Educator.

BIOGRAPHY

CV available upon request

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