Hollow Pollen No.2 2016

Editor: So, this is "Hollow Pollen No. 2," an oil painting by Soey Milk, created in 2016. I find the work very dreamlike. There's a softness to it, almost as if it's a memory fading. What initially captures your attention when you look at it? Curator: The first thing that pulls me in is that pervasive sense of ephemeral beauty, almost melancholic. I’m immediately drawn into the color palette: the honeyed yellows, creams, and soft blues evoke a sense of nostalgia. And look at how Milk masterfully contrasts the detailed floral arrangement with the subtly patterned background. What do you make of her subject’s expression, eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought? Editor: She appears at peace, or perhaps resigned. It makes me wonder what she's contemplating. Is it just a peaceful rest, or something more profound? Curator: I see it as a reflection on the transient nature of beauty itself, hence, perhaps, "hollow pollen"—beautiful on the surface, but hinting at something more fleeting, less substantial. And the surrounding floral motifs further underscore this idea of growth, decay, and renewal, echoing traditional Vanitas paintings. What feelings arise in you? Does the painting prompt memories, sensations? Editor: It makes me think about the beauty of impermanence, and it almost brings to mind hazy childhood memories, both happy and sad. Does Milk’s style remind you of any other artists? Curator: A little bit, yes, there is a subtle Pre-Raphaelite undercurrent here – a love for detail and romanticized beauty, though filtered through a thoroughly contemporary lens. It’s almost as if she is saying: “We can find the beautiful in our present, everyday world, but let's remember the passage of time.” It is as though beauty is both a treasure and an acceptance. Editor: That’s beautifully put. I never considered the link to Pre-Raphaelites. Thanks, I definitely look at this painting differently now. Curator: Likewise, your reading added another layer of dream-like beauty and nostalgic sense!