An Equine Tale at CUHK Art Museum

Description

To mark Chinese New Year, the Art Museum of The Chinese University of Hong Kong presents Celebrating the Year of the Horse, its latest annual zodiac exhibition. Divided into two sections, the show features over 40 sets of artefacts and examines the horse’s evolving role in Chinese history — from being a vital transport technology to an enduring cultural motif. The first section, “From Draft to Mount,” traces the development of horse use in ancient China, highlighting innovations such as chariots, stirrups and riding equipment, while revealing connections with the wider world. The second one, “Galloping for Desires,” turns to the symbolic and artistic life of the horse, exploring recurring motifs across painting and material culture.

Highlights include the monumental “One Hundred Steeds” by missionary and painter Giuseppe Castiglione, alongside masterpieces by renowned artists such as Zhang Mu’s “Dust rolling and Gaunt Horse,” Gao Jianfu’s “Steed in the Rainstorm” and the newly acquired “Galloping Horse” by Yin Shoushi. The pieces collectively capture the vitality and elegance of horses across different periods and styles, weaving a rich visual tapestry of equine artistry.