PRESS RELEASE

THE YOUNG GIRL
CHOICHUN LEUNG
JULY 10 - AUGUST 9, 2025

Ruby/Dakota is incredibly proud to present:
Choichun Leung, The Young Girl

The theory of the Young-Girl states that in the face of the commodification of female youth and form, we as a society resort to punishing ourselves in order to fulfill the unknown desires of the patriarchy. Perhaps they are not unknown desires, but rather impossible, unattainable, and dangerous. In the face of grave deviance, who will prevail? This work aims to explain how to heal oneself from the trauma inflicted by a sick world. As a young girl, you embody the most vulnerable member of society. It is the reason most women report the catcalling diminishes by the time a backpack is no longer necessary. And what about the girls? There will always be more. 1 in 4 of them experience childhood sexual abuse.

Choi’s work intimates a deep knowing of the male psyche, demonic, fragile, a force that has made its dark mark on the artist’s life, which she has transformed to light, which she has dedicated her insanely brave practice to speaking out and up against.

In a quintessential piece from this titular on-going series, which began to take form in 2012, but in many ways much earlier, the Young-Girl is drawn in her signature black micron pen, meticulous strokes blend with wild handwriting to read: “You are dead, I am not. I will tell my story. F*ck you.”

In some ways this feels like a direct address, to the father, to the family “friend,” a person often shrugged off or believed to be nothing but a clown. Seething with founded rage at a childhood and life lost. In other ways it speaks to all Men. Broadly. F you. I will tell my story.

I thumb through Choi’s work and I sob. And I keep sobbing. Her devotion to her own inner child, to your children, it moves. And it doesn’t matter to me if they are dead, the men. There are plenty left unfortunately. They will hear her now.

This exhibition coincides with Katherine Sepúlveda’s ‘Culona Politics’ which will be on view in the Annex. Both shows will run through August 9.
Please stay tuned for activations throughout.
All inquiries may be directed to hannah@rubydakota.com — for survivors looking for resources: www.d2l.org.

Originally from Wales, Choichun Leung has called Brooklyn, New York home since 1994. Graduating with a BA (Hons) Degree in Silversmithing from Loughborough College of Art/Design in the United Kingdom, she studied Buddhist Symbolism at the Yungang Caves in Shanxi province, China, and is a self-taught painter and musician. Her diverse experiences include background artist for animation films in Hong Kong and assistant to artist Peter Max in NYC.

Choi began exploring memory via painting in 2006, what began as abstracts gradually became literal, and in 2012 she started a series of personal autobiographical drawings she called 'The Young Girl Project'. This body of work was the beginning of documenting her healing journey from childhood sexual abuse to self-empowerment. Choi’s multi-disciplinary project now includes drawings, paintings, film, sculpture, books, activism, and collaborations.

In 2021, she began a four-year study of the Kabbalistic Tree Of Life and illustrated "44 Prayers," a book collaboration with author and spiritual guide Mark Daniel. Inspired by these teachings, she became a Usui Reiki master. In 2024, Choi animated the music video “Once Let Free” by musician Emily Cross for the Grammy award-winning album, “For the Birds: The Birdsong Project”.  

Choi has worked with notable brands such as Glossier and Proenza Schouler and has editorial features in CR Fashion Book, Allure, and Puss Puss Magazine. Using these platforms, she raises awareness about the importance of open dialogue with children in the prevention of child sexual abuse.

The Young Girl Project is now a non-profit organization. For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/theyounggirlproject

Please join us at the gallery Thursday, July 10 for an Opening Reception, 6-8PM