We are long-term fans of Issue 31 artist Soey Milk; her expressive paintings capture a depth and energy which mirror her own vibrant personality. Utilising bold brushworks alongside the smooth and gentle tones of her subjects, Soey Milk creates more than just playful juxtapositions. Her eye-catching paintings offer an enrichment of cultural unifications reflecting her Korean roots as much as her American upbringing. Her upcoming solo exhibition at Corey Helford Gallery, LIANAS celebrates her deeper exploration into her intertwining cultural identities. Featuring opulent colours, florals, elegant figures and even baby tigers, LIANAS will be a true feast for the eyes.
“In the delicate dance between tradition and metamorphosis, the tendrils of Milk’s visual narrative intertwine like sinuous vines of lianas, reaching back to the fertile soil of heritage while embracing the vibrant hues of contemporary expression.” Shares Corey Helford Gallery. “Like tendrils seeking perches on ancient trees, Milk draws sustenance from the rich tapestry of cultural history, weaving its threads into the fabric of her own. With each brushstroke, she strives to ascend toward greater understanding, guided by the wisdom of the past and inspired by the beauty of the present moment.
“In […] LIANAS, visitors are invited to wander through this verdant labyrinth of tradition and growth, where the roots of Milk’s creative lineage entwine with the blossoms of modern expression.”
Soey Milk: LIANAS
COREY HELFORD GALLERY
Opening reception: August 10, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Dates: August 10 – September 14, 2024
Main Gallery: 571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Call: (310) 287-2340
For sales inquiries, please contact Sherri@CoreyHelfordGallery.com
Open to the public and free of charge, LIANAS is set to debut on Saturday, August 10th from 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm in the Main Gallery, alongside a solo show by Polish contemporary artist Ewa Prończuk-Kuziak, titled Let It Go, Let It Flow, in Gallery 2. Both shows will be on view through September 14th.
“Viridian as an underpainting hue provides peeks and gradations of fresh green throughout this painting. What I do in the beginning stage of my work are gifts I can give to my future self, like splurges of rich colour or intense brushwork that push me to make adventurous decisions.”
Soey Milk
About Soey Milk (from press release):
Born in 1989 in Seoul, Korea, Milk moved to Los Angeles at age 11. She earned her BFA from The Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA. Milk’s early path was leading her to become a ballerina, but after she was first introduced to painting, she forthwith found a new passion to pursue. Some of the ballet dimensions remained, as she was still strongly drawn to human anatomy, which was a cornerstone for the development of her painterly pursuits.
A versatile artist, Milk works primarily with oils and watercolours to create an outstanding narrative universe that is at once tender and strange. Characterized by the high level of meticulousness, attentiveness to details, and powerful combinations of colours and shapes, her work evokes a certain level of sensibility and mysteriousness, floating between realism and abstraction. The porcelain faces of her often-nude muses reveal an interior less innocent and pure than we are led to believe at first glance.
Milk’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, in addition to being featured in Juxtapoz, Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, American Art Collector, Hi-Fructose, and on multiple online platforms. In 2017, she was commissioned by John Mayer to create the cover and sleeve art to his album The Search for Everything. Milk lives and works in Los Angeles.
About Corey Helford Gallery:
Established in 2006 by Jan Corey Helford and her husband, television producer/creator Bruce Helford, Corey Helford Gallery has since evolved into one of the premier galleries of New Contemporary art. Its goal as an institution is supporting the growth of artists, from the young and emerging, to the well-known and internationally established. Corey Helford Gallery represents a diverse collection of international artists, primarily influenced by today’s pop culture. Collectively, their artists encompass style genres such as New Figurative Art, Pop Surrealism, Neo Pop, Graffiti, and Street Art. Located in downtown Los Angeles in a robust 12,000 square foot building, CHG presents new exhibitions approximately every six weeks.
