Propinquity 2014

Soey Milk made this artwork, "Propinquity" with graphite and watercolor on paper. I love how this piece feels delicately balanced. Look how the graphite marks create a tangible sense of texture, especially in the patterned garment that seems to fall off the figure's shoulders. I like how the drawing feels at once finished and unfinished, and the background washes feel both intentional and accidental. Note the way the pools of gold watercolor stain the paper, contrasting the detailed work of the figure. It's this tension between control and chance that really gets me going. This piece reminds me of the work of Marlene Dumas in that it blends a sense of portraiture with looser, more expressive mark-making, resulting in something emotionally ambiguous. What do you think?