Two barn swallows on blossoming cherry 

Editor: Here we have a delightful woodblock print, *Two barn swallows on blossoming cherry* by Ohara Koson. The soft colours and delicate lines give it a very peaceful feel. What do you see in this piece, from your perspective? Curator: It whispers of fleeting moments, doesn’t it? Like catching a glimpse of something truly beautiful, something about to vanish. The delicate cherry blossoms – that ephemeral symbol of spring – are mirrored in the swallows, forever in motion, never lingering for long. They are just passing by. A poignant reminder of the transient nature of life. Have you noticed how the birds’ energy is contrasted with the static branches? Editor: I do now! One bird is looking up and the other is looking straight ahead. I guess they could take off at any moment. Does that symbolize something, perhaps? Curator: Well, isn't symbolism deeply personal? For me, that upwards gaze evokes a sense of hope, of reaching for something beyond our immediate grasp. It is juxtaposed with the other bird looking straight out to meet you, which perhaps evokes the everyday! And the blossoms! I imagine each tiny brushstroke painstakingly rendered – capturing the very essence of their fragility, almost as if daring them to fall… it reminds me to appreciate things while they’re here. Don't you think? Editor: I love that perspective, that these birds may spring to life any minute now. I hadn't thought about it that way! This print makes me think more deeply about those small moments of beauty in my day. Curator: And for me, the echo of transience now sings a brighter tune. Thank you.