the river remembers

artist feature

i urge you dear reader, to watch this exquisite video by Agrene Bouwman, one of the winged moon’s contributing editors and a frequent collaborator within the fold of the magazines wings, she offers us this mountain worship. published in our nature as the muse issue, this timeless piece made even more beautiful with this video.

Agrene also agreed to answer a few questions;

Agrene Bouwman
@the_tale_of_xu_wei


Why do you write?

Life is a complex place to roam. Words, the right words, help to unravel the knot of understanding. I write to understand, to remember. Being struck by poetry or prose is rediscovering something very precious which we recognise as beauty, but perhaps it is the awe of re-finding. Words, art, music are powerful tools for connecting with the underlying current of life.

Can you tell us about your work and inspiration?

My work, both as a sculptor and a writer, focuses on transience. This is a lifelong practice of facing, understanding and finding beauty in the fragility of life. The Japanese term ‘mono no aware’ has always been my point of focus as an artist. It literally means ‘the pathos of things’ and it describes empathy for and awareness of impermanence. The familiar example is the beauty of the cherry blossom being enhanced by the knowledge that it shall soon disappear. There is a sadness there but ultimately it opens the path to acceptance.


What would you say to writers or artists interested in submitting their work to The Winged Moon?

Writers attracted to The Winged Moon Magazine, I think, share a pull to that undercurrent of life. The poetry and the art is varied and exciting and bound together by a shared theme. Submitted work is in very capable hands and carefully and lovingly edited. 

would love to hear your reactions to this beautiful piece.