We recently connected with Milena Bennett and have shared our conversation below.

Milena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

A recent passion project titled, “MODVIXEN”.

“MODVIXEN” is an immersive portrait exhibition aimed to disrupt cultural norms by showcasing women who have shattered stereotypes in the reclamation of their narrative, released as a 3D virtual gallery for the duration of Women’s History Month to encourage representation and accessibility for women, who make up just 13% of fine art.

This project is close to my heart because it is the embodiment of my own experience paired with the experience of personal friends around me – the subjects. I conceptualized the images in the style of a modern day film noir to reflect back on the male gaze in media and offer an opposing eye that positions women as complex, powerful figures.

To bring these images to life, I had to challenge myself and fill the blanks in the process. When I couldn’t source the costumes I wanted, I made them. Sometimes I had to sew the final seams together on the subway over. There were times when I snuck into a church during service and lit a ring of fire on the runway of a WWII airport, which turned out to be active at the time. In the process of finding a gallery to sponsor me, I was turned away which led me to launch the series as a 3D exhibition.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In the beginning I was a business student, my family pushed the “art is a hobby, not a career” narrative so I never explored the creative pursuits of my childhood. I felt conflicted after a couple years and decided to take a break from college to explore my career path, travel, and move to the city. My initial interest was sustainable fashion, I would post about everything from thrift up-cycling to environmental and social issues in the fashion industry. Later on I was invited to style on set for a friend of mine, with each look brought a different story to which I decided I wanted to capture myself. During that first year, I worked 60+ hours a week as a waitress with one day off to spare. Every free day I had was dedicated to a photoshoot, and it never felt like work. That summer I left everything behind and moved to New York with nothing but a couple suitcases.

That was 5 years ago. Fast forward to today, I’m now a freelance art director, and photographer based in NYC. I finished my B.B.A in Visual Studies, led as the director of photography for my college’s magazine, and earned published features in PhotoVogue, Flanelle Magazine, The Mob Journal, The Portrait Project, PUMP Magazine, NOW Magazine, and UP Magazine. After graduation, I was poached to be a junior art director for PAPER Magazine working with the likes of DKNY, Google, Michael Kors, and Mackage. I’m now awaiting my first solo show as a sponsored artist, this summer at One Art Space in Tribeca.

As an artist, I aim to push back against the contrived misconceptions of the media’s male gaze, particularly those that limit the potential of women. I portray women as complex, multifaceted individuals rather than as objects for male pleasure. I seek to subvert the power imbalance and give agency and voice to women.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing my ideas come to life is extremely rewarding. I often daydream, sometimes it’s a film, other times just a fragment of a visual. Knowing that I’ve created something from start to finish is a special kind of gratification, almost as if my mind is a garden, the ideas my seedlings, and with each visualization there is new growth. Once those ideas have come to fruition, they plant seeds in their audience, provoking thought to inspire growth in others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In January of 2022 I had to take a step back. I was robbed of my laptop, phone, and savings. Sexually harassed and cast out by the first gallery that supported me. Burnt out creatively, desperately trying to keep myself afloat. I kept my head down, worked in equipment at a creative agency and picked up a night job as a bottle girl. I grinded 7 days a week for months, often times I would wake up for my studio shift at 6AM, run home for an hour to nap, then head to my night job to work till 2AM. Eventually I collapsed from exhaustion, but I kept on for fear of not being able to pay my bills. What ultimately led me to walk away was sexual assault from a regular customer at my night job. Through it all, I had been applying to hundreds of jobs a week, rebuilding myself with every spare second I had. Just two days after walking out, I was offered a contract with PAPER Magazine. One year later, I was offered sponsorship from an art gallery.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milenabennett.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderndayvixen/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milena-b-4966a6b9