About David
David Dawon Choi is an award-winning New Zealand artist who was born deaf and almost totally blind.
He started drawing at the age of three in his native Korea to communicate his thoughts and emotion. After moving to New Zealand at the age of nine, he drew inspiration from the natural world around him and the Maori culture of his new country to produce his intricate and detailed works.
However recently his works also covers small but precious things such as flavours of morning coffee, warmth of sunshine in the afternoon as well as heavy social issues such as pandemics or racial discrimination.
Achievements
Graduated Van Asch Deaf Centre (2000-2011)
Learnt drawing from Min Kim (2013- )
Darfield Art Exhibition Award (2012, 2018, 2021)
Exhibition at Bryce Gallery (2016, 2018, 2019)
UNSW (Sydney Australia) Interactive Science Expo invited Artist (2019)
Participation Christchurch Art Show (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Ashburton Exhibition Premier Award (2021)
Participation Auckland Art Show (2023, 2024)
Participation ArtPara 2024 Paris (2024)
Exhibition in Support of Document Mission (2024)
“Journey to Myself” of YTN Korean
New Zealand’s Helen Keller & Sullivan: The Inspiring Story of Artist David Choi
Summary:
This documentary tells the story of David Choi, a Korean artist in New Zealand born with hearing and visual impairments. Art became his unique language to connect with the world. For over a decade, his art teacher Min Kim supported him using gestures, body language, and technology, forming a bond like Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. David creates vivid paintings by exploring objects through touch and smell. In 2024, he represented New Zealand at the Paris Paralympic Art Exhibition, inspiring many internationally.
The video ends with Helen Keller’s words:
“The most beautiful things can only be felt with the heart.”