As the Year of the Horse is set to gallop in, renowned Chinese artist Qiu Liquan has created a series of captivating works themed around the horse, combining the characteristics of traditional Chinese painting, comic art and New Year pictures for an exhibition that opens in Beijing later this month.

Some pieces have depicted horse-related idiom stories, proverbs and historical anecdotes through humorous narratives, bold exaggeration, bright colors and witty inscriptions.

Qiu Liquan is particularly well known for his animal paintings, with the twelve zodiac animals being a recurring theme in his oeuvre. Each year, he produces a large number of works centered around the corresponding zodiac animal, where he ingeniously infuses Chinese cultural classics, idioms, and proverbs into his animal depictions. 

This approach allows people from all walks of life to immerse themselves in the charm of traditional Chinese culture while appreciating his art.