Hope

In the 2024 Winter Issue, Mayuko's opening image accompanies stories featuring Swarthmore's alumni advocating for women's health, food security, and human rights.

Her pure and beautiful artwork sets the ambiance for the issue, with the concept of birds symbolising freedom and hope, serving as a poignant reminder of what is paramount.

Mayuko explains, "The discussions with Phillip Stern, the designer of the Bulletin, were an important part of making these pieces about hope in fraught times. We chatted not only about the art direction but also birds and nature, optimism and fear, the role of art in this world and the time that we live in right now. It helped set the uplifting and thoughtful mood for the artworks."

Philip Stern adds, "Mayuko’s cover and story opener for the Bulletin are stunning! Her clean but evocative style of collage and stencil is refreshing and flexible. A great collaborator, she helped us to explore ways to visually welcome readers into difficult topics. Her sensitivity to the subject-matter and artistic innovation are both greatly appreciated..."