Earthlings 2015

Editor: So, here we have "Earthlings," a 2015 acrylic painting by Soey Milk. It's captivating! I find myself drawn to its intimate, almost dreamlike quality and, I'm intrigued by the ambiguity of the space they occupy, and wonder, what story do you think Milk is trying to tell us? Curator: Oh, that's a juicy question! For me, "Earthlings" isn't about a literal narrative but rather, it captures a feeling, a state of being. Notice how the figures are intertwined, almost dissolving into the surrounding environment? The artist seems less interested in precise details than she is with evoking a sense of connection – a bond between these women and perhaps also with the natural world around them. Do you see how those sprigs of rosemary become almost another character? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn’t really thought of that before – how the foliage almost has a presence of its own. Does that botanical integration reflect in the theme? Curator: Exactly. She invites you into their private world. A secret language unfolds as they lie tangled in soft fabrics. Editor: Now that you point that out, I find I get the sense of these figures are almost a single unit, rather than two separate people. Like a complex flower! It's funny, I initially found the painting to be intriguing and that I can keep re-looking and re-seeing the artwork, how fascinating and clever, it definitely makes the painting unforgettable! Curator: Absolutely, art helps you understand more about yourself. This painting truly does have its own pulse; I think you said it best, these Earthlings make for something unforgettable.