Mongolian Eagle Hunter Inspires Singaporean Artist's Award-Nominated Children's Book

Singaporean artist Siyuan Aw's debut picture book, 'Our Wings As One,' is a testament to an unexpected encounter in the remote Altai Mountains of Mongolia. The book, recently shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award 2026, began its seven-year journey after Aw met Bekku, a 17-year-old eagle hunter, and his golden eagle.

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Everyone seemed to have something to say about everything. My world was getting louder, noisier. My phone was a prison. I lived inside it – small, pixelated, trapped.

Aw, who was experiencing burnout and profound grief after the loss of his mother and the relentless pace of his career as chief strategy officer in Shanghai, traveled to Mongolia in 2018. He described his world as "getting louder, noisier," feeling trapped by his phone and the demands of agency life. He sought the high-altitude wilderness not to escape, but to "listen again. To remember the language of silence."

Through local English teachers, Aw found himself staying with an eagle-hunting family in the Altai Mountains, a first for a foreigner. It was here he met Bekku. Their initial interactions were bridged by Aw's camera, leading to shared adventures in the mountains. Bekku's profound insights, which Aw termed "wild wisdoms," left a lasting impression. When Aw asked Bekku why he closed his eyes while connecting with his eagle, Bekku replied, "Because the language of our heart needs silence."

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It was not about escape. I went there to listen again. To remember the language of silence.

This profound connection and Bekku's wisdom became the seed for 'Our Wings As One.' The book explores themes of letting go, finding the courage to begin again, and the power of silence in understanding oneself and the world. Aw's journey from a high-pressure advertising career to the quiet wilderness of Mongolia highlights a personal transformation that ultimately fueled his creative endeavor.

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Because the language of our heart needs silence.