The Hours Of Light 

Soey Milk painted “The Hours of Light” without noting the exact date. Born in 1989, the artist makes work that often emphasizes the body. Here, a figure with a slightly world-weary gaze sits for the viewer. Her partially draped kimono may reference a history of the objectification of Asian women. At the same time, the artist uses a Western gaze to empower the model, who looks directly at us, confident and in control. The piece plays with themes of self-perception and identity as seen through the eyes of others. The gaze becomes a point of negotiation. Milk’s art prompts a consideration of who we are, who we perform ourselves to be, and how society shapes these performances. The tension between vulnerability and strength in this piece invites us to reflect on our own experiences of being seen.