Sonder 2015

Soey Milk’s painting, Sonder, utilizes oil, a material known for its versatility and capacity to capture both the finest details and the most striking impressions. Oil paint is made by suspending pigment in a drying oil – often linseed – and it allows Milk to achieve a range of textures, from the smooth planes of the figures' faces, to the more roughly applied foliage. Notice how the artist handles the medium to draw us in; the faces are rendered in a relatively tight, controlled manner, while the wispy, almost dissolving background creates an otherworldly atmosphere. The red cords in the foreground appear to have been created using thin glazes of paint. Oil painting has a long and celebrated history in Western art, but here, Milk blends this tradition with a contemporary sensibility and a distinct personal vision. It is a reminder that even the most established materials can be used in new and innovative ways. By looking closely at the materials and processes, we can better appreciate the artist's intentions and the artwork's full meaning.