Step into the captivating world of Milly, a visionary artist whose work transcends the boundaries of emotion and vulnerability. In this exclusive interview, we delve into the intricate tapestry of Milly’s artistic journey, exploring the genesis of her collection “Intimacy” and the profound messages it carries.
With each stroke and digital creation, Milly invites us to confront the complexities of human connection, challenging societal norms and fostering a dialogue around love, vulnerability, and the pursuit of authenticity.
Join us on this inspiring odyssey as Milly shares the stories behind her thought-provoking pieces, offering a glimpse into the very soul of her art. Prepare to be moved, enlightened, and inspired by an artist who fearlessly confronts the depths of intimacy to reshape the narrative of human connection….
Milly, your collection “Intimacy” explores the complexities of the concept. How do you translate such a deeply personal theme into your artwork, and what messages do you hope viewers take away from it?
Honestly, translating something as deep and personal onto a canvas and sharing it with the world was challenging. I drew inspiration from my personal experiences in understanding the meaning of intimacy and our generation’s struggle with craving it while grappling with how to attain it. I hope viewers take away the importance of allowing oneself to fall in love and embrace emotional vulnerability. Our generation often fears intimacy due to a desire for independence, but this collection urges understanding that both can coexist.
Inspirations Behind “Naked Mind”
“Naked Mind” delves into unfiltered thoughts and emotions. What personal experiences or reflections inspired you to create this piece, and how do you navigate the fine line between vulnerability and artistic expression?
Being an overthinker, “Naked Mind” portrays my interpretation of thoughts devoid of overthinking, fear of judgment, and insecurities. I aim to capture the intimacy of the mind in human connections, emphasizing the courage it takes to accept and reveal one’s dark thoughts. Vulnerability is inseparable from artistic expression; it is the essence that distinguishes impactful art from the ordinary.
Physical Intimacy in “Innocent Embrace”: “She said nothing with her voice and everything with her touch” – this quote from “Innocent Embrace” is powerful. How do you believe physical touch contributes to genuine intimacy, and what societal misconceptions about physical intimacy were you aiming to challenge through this piece?
This piece aims to emphasise how physical touch can evoke a sense of innocence and purity. In today’s society, there’s a misconception that physical intimacy is solely about sex. “Innocent Embrace” challenges this notion, highlighting that simple acts like being embraced in a loved one’s arms create a deeper connection, countering the fear of emotional intimacy after sex.
Perspective in “Fleeting Devotion”: Your “Fleeting Devotion” series explores the concept of looking through a rose-colored lens. Can you share more about the inspiration behind this series and your perspective on the balance between idealized moments and the reality of human connections?
“Fleeting Devotion” captures the depth of falling for someone and the struggle to accept their flaws. The series questions whether the decision to embrace imperfections or let go turns moments into fleeting devotion. It explores the dichotomy between idealised love and the reality of human connections, portraying the tension between acceptance and letting go.
“Love isn’t always enough” is a thought-provoking message from “Unconscious Resistance.” What motivated you to portray the struggle between the mind and heart, and how do you see this internal conflict impacting our pursuit of true intimacy?
“Unconscious Resistance” portrays the internal struggle when love isn’t enough to sustain a relationship. The piece explores the conflict between the mind urging detachment and the heart clinging to love. This universal struggle influences the pursuit of true intimacy, emphasising the need to reconcile the emotional and rational aspects of love.
Your take on the concept of “love is blind” in “Willfully Blinded” is intriguing. How do you depict blind trust in your artwork, and what do you believe is the role of trust and vulnerability in building a strong, intimate connection?
“Willfully Blinded” depicts blind trust as an emotional trust fall, where one lets go and allows someone to guide them. Trust and vulnerability are foundational in building strong connections. Without blind trust, relationships can become toxic. The piece emphasizes that deep trust takes time, preventing accusations, arguments, and fostering stability in intimate connections.
“In the beginning of any relationship, we’re hiding what we find ugly or dark.” How does “Sightless Vulnerability” capture the challenges of being open and vulnerable in relationships, and what advice do you have for navigating the fear of judgment in exposing our true selves?
Don’t rush yourself. That is my biggest piece of advice to anyone scared to open up and be vulnerable in any type of relationship, whether it be friendly or romantic. I know for me, my friends have had quite an experience trying to get to know me, never quite feeling like they can reach me… an enigma is the word one has used before.
So this fear of being vulnerable, of being judged, or leaving makes it easy to let that consume us and that’s why I created Sightless Vulnerability to confront my fear and try to let this aspect of myself go. Sometimes the dark or ugly side is actually what humanises us and creates the intimate emotional bond we crave.
Your love for the Asian folklore, The Red String of Fate, is evident in “Threaded Fate.” How has this childhood story influenced your perception of love, and how do you infuse its essence into your artistic representation?
I think it has impacted the way I view love significantly. I am the type of girl who does not fall easily but when I do I give it everything. I do believe in fate, soulmates and finding my person, and to some that may sound childish but what can I say, I’m a hopeless romantic deep down inside. I do believe that when I am lucky enough to meet my person, I’ll know, and even if we can’t be together or we grow apart if they really are my soulmate, we will find our way back to each other.
And if we don’t it just means the right guy is out there and I can’t wait to meet him. I created this piece to represent how it takes two people to choose each other and how this string connects us to those meant to be in our lives no matter what. This is an homage to my favourite childhood story because I miss when falling in love seemed as simple as fitting into a glass slipper.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial concept to the finished artwork? How do you ensure that your personal experiences and emotions are authentically reflected in each piece?
I truly am an emotional artist as I create from…well my emotions. That being said I do not really plan my pieces as they are more spontaneous and created in the moment of my emotions from my experiences. I know this because when trying to create some commission pieces I found it extremely difficult to do so because people I believe love my work because I like to think they can feel something when looking at it. I can’t fake emotions nor am I willing to just make a sale.
You work across various mediums, from canvas painting to digital art. How does your choice of medium influence the way you convey the nuances of intimacy, and do you find certain mediums better suited for expressing specific emotions?
I do think choosing to make this a digital painting collection was the right choice to convey my messages of intimacy. Because I drew inspiration from statues and stained glass, line was a huge part of the pieces and images themselves. Had I painted these, they would have been much less uniform and more organic which would’ve evoked a completely different feeling, especially because my style of acrylic painting vs digital painting are significantly different.
When someone experiences your art, what emotional or intellectual impact do you hope it has on them? How do you navigate the fine line between conveying personal experiences and creating a piece that resonates universally?
With this collection in particular, I hope when my viewers experience my work they feel understood or a sense of being able to relate to emotions they may not have even thought they had. I want my audience to question themselves, reflect and feel.
I don’t think there will ever be a piece of art that everyone on this planet can relate to, therefore I think it’s my job as an artist to express my story or message in the best way I know how, and accepting its okay that not everyone will enjoy, appreciate or even understand it but to also remember there will be people who will.
How have your artistic style and approach evolved since your first collection, “Intimacy”? In what ways do you see your art growing and changing in the future?
I think Intimacy was the first “big girl” collection outside of school I have created as my work prior was a bit more whimsical and definitely more niche. My art has matured significantly as I started creating with purpose rather than just for another grade. I see my art changing as I evolve and grow as an individual, and as I have said before I create from my experiences and emotions.
Collaborations and Future Projects: Are there any collaborations or future projects that you’re excited about? How do you see your art evolving, and are there new themes or concepts you’re eager to explore?
I am excited to talk about a food and fashion publication, NABI Magazine, I have started here in NYC that really incorporates a new style of art I have been creating for the brand. My inspiration comes from my childhood love for old animations such as “Aristocats” and “101 Dalmatians” creating a more sketch-like illustration that feels nostalgic for my generation.
Impact of New York City: Being based in New York City, a hub of art and culture, how has the city influenced your artistic journey and the themes you choose to explore in your work?
Living and studying in New York has allowed me to become more expressive and experimental with my art from medium choices to making sure I am creating with something to say. New York being one of the biggest art capitals of the world also has exposed me to so many different artists from historically famous to street art it really is a place of inspiration.
Advice for Emerging Artists: For aspiring artists who want to convey deep emotions and personal experiences through their art, what advice would you offer? How can they find their unique voice and create meaningful connections with their audience?
I have always wanted my art to make my viewer feel something but how can I even do that if I am not even sure what I am trying to say. This was the biggest lesson and push I needed to go from art student to artist. Go out and try to experience everything because without life experience your art can easily fall flat. So as cliche as it sounds go fall in love, get on the wrong train or just step out of your comfort zone once and while and I promise you, your art will come to life!
Balancing Personal and Artistic Identity: Your art delves into personal and intimate themes. How do you balance the line between sharing your personal experiences through art and maintaining a sense of privacy and personal identity?
I really do not think there is ever an exact balance when creating art that is centered around such vulnerable emotions. I think the more vulnerable you are with the process and ultimately the creation of your work the more you will get your audience to feel.
If you hold yourself back by fear, it shows in your work. Privacy and personal identity are all things to keep in mind when explaining your work or writing about it but when creating let yourself feel everything and anything and that is what makes a piece go from good to extraordinary.
Reflection on Past Works: Looking back at your earlier collections, is there a particular piece that holds a special place in your heart or one that represents a pivotal moment in your artistic journey? What memories or emotions does it evoke?
Yes, there is one painting, part of a group art show, that I could have sold for $10,000, but I refused, saying, “I’m not for sale.” Some may see it as a missed opportunity, but to me, it defined my artistic style at the time. It holds a special place as one of the first pieces that shaped my artistic identity, even though my friends might think I’m foolish for not taking the offer.
Legacy and Impact: As an artist, what legacy do you hope to leave behind, and how do you envision your art contributing to conversations about intimacy, vulnerability, and human connection in the broader artistic landscape?
I hope to contribute to normalizing intimacy and vulnerability in both art and society. Through my work, I aim to open conversations that resonate with people’s emotions and experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of the human connection.
Our readers love to travel. What destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I would love to go to Asia and tour around my motherland, Korea, but also stop by Japan and Thailand!
What’s your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I don’t have a go-to quote, but with a little help from tequila, I always end up finding some motivation and inspiration for my next pieces.
Stay Connected
Embark on a continued journey of artistic exploration with Milly by staying connected and immersing yourself in her evolving narrative. To witness the profound expressions of intimacy, vulnerability, and human connection, visit Milly’s art website at Millyj.art.
For an even deeper dive into her illustrative prowess, explore the curated world of NABI Magazine at Nabimag.com, where each illustration tells a unique story. To stay updated on Milly’s latest creations, follow her on Instagram at @MILLYJ.ART and @MILLYY__J. Don’t miss out on the innovative fusion of art and storytelling – become a part of the conversation, engage with the emotions, and let Milly’s work inspire and resonate with the depths of your own human experience.
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