Page 12: and authenticity is exchanged.

Artist: Jiamin.​

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Page description and purpose: Page twelve of All Other is dedicated to the changing seasons, the trees that decay and appear to die while they rest and then sprout, blossom, and bloom anew. Jiamin's art will illustrate the second part of the sentence, 'But there is such beauty when things differ and authenticity is exchanged,' to show nature's authentic interchange of expressions as the seasons surrender to their renewal. I used to spend winter yearning for the arrival of spring—as soon as it was September I would fall into a longing for the coming summer. But imagine a life of perpetual summer. While a part of me still mourns the summer passing, as a note of time, I've learnt over recent years to open myself to the beauty of the colder, darker months and can’t imagine how I overlooked how awe-inspiring it is to witness the physical changes that offer such beauty and wisdom. This earth is so tremendously wise and exquisitely beautiful. I found Jiamin on the UAL graduate showcase online and was impressed by the detail of the scenes she created. For page 12, Jiamin’s tree model will feature two seasons—autumn and spring—to remind us of the beauty in life's transitions. As humans, we too grow through cycles, collectively and individually. To allow these natural cycles without judgment—towards ourselves and others—is essential for creating a harmonious exchange between our inner world, our experience of life, and our experience of exchange with others. Allow yourself to be in the cycle you're in without judgment, and allow others to be in their cycle without judgment. No season is better; all are needed. Each season is a blessing to experience.

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Welcome, Jiamin—your art beautifully reminds us that authenticity is the quiet courage to be in our own season. Rose