Wild Strawberries 2020

Curator: "Wild Strawberries," a 2020 oil painting by Milt Kobayashi. When I first saw this, the vibrant reds immediately grabbed my attention. It feels… unfinished, almost aggressively so, yet there’s a strange calmness emanating from the central figure. What do you make of it? Editor: Well, the palette is indeed striking—the juxtaposition of those bold reds against the softer tones is definitely doing something. The figure, for me, is the focal point for a lot of potential tensions and social commentary. We have this almost archetypal young woman in what seems to be a domestic setting, yet her gaze avoids ours. The artist makes interesting choices here, right? The model doesn't appear as though she has control of her space or, by extension, her own story. Curator: Precisely! There’s a vulnerability that I think the brushstrokes themselves enhance. The kind of broken application of paint around the figure contributes to this raw, exposed feel. But those strawberries, scattered around, they feel like little drops of rebellion against the subdued mood. Editor: Strawberries are also historically tied to notions of sexuality and feminine virtue, making this a potent symbolic choice. Are we looking at a representation of lost innocence? A quiet struggle for agency? There is an awareness to be found, I believe, and that comes across. This collision of innocence and knowing gives me pause. Curator: Absolutely, a story of inner conflict emerges and her gaze holds our own as if to remind us to reflect upon the same issues and conflicts that lie deep within ourselves. Kobayashi uses abstraction to pull you in. The title adds another layer, right? "Wild Strawberries." Those little wild moments of freedom. Editor: Yes! Moments snatched within a constrained existence. I’m particularly drawn to how Kobayashi frames this tension not just through subject matter, but through a contemporary expressionistic lens. It asks us to consider how traditional roles and societal expectations continue to shape—and sometimes confine—lived experiences, especially for women. Curator: Ultimately, it’s an ambiguous yet powerful statement, painted with this unique kind of sensitivity that’s so engaging. Editor: Agreed. "Wild Strawberries" is that piece you keep revisiting, and I suspect each time it'll unveil new complexities around visibility, identity, and the sweetness of rebellion.