The Life Between Words 2018

In Soey Milk’s painting, made with oil and mixed media, the subject’s shrouded head inclines in quiet contemplation. Imagine the studio, the artist circling, brush in hand, adding splashes and drips around the central figure. The layered composition, the interplay of figuration and abstraction, creates a shimmering, ethereal feel. Milk’s juxtaposition of textures – the soft rendering of skin against the raw, gestural brushwork – is compelling. The contrasting textures of the painting create both visual and emotional depth. The bold strokes seem to exist both independently and in harmony, like a conversation between control and chance. Milk seems attuned to the history of portraiture while pushing against its conventions. The draped fabric recalls classical sculpture, but the loose brushwork and drips feel contemporary. It makes me think about how artists are in an ongoing dialogue, building upon and challenging what came before. A painting like this is an invitation to slow down, to notice the subtle shifts in color, and to revel in the pleasure of looking.