From ponies to galloping steeds, artist trains brush on horse culture

Qiu Liquan, a renowned Chinese painter who has made a mark in the art world with his exceptional zodiac animal paintings, recently kicked off his new exhibition in Beijing to mark the upcoming arrival of the Year of the Horse.

On the opening day of the exhibition, Qiu Liquan elaborated on the differences between Western and Chinese horse cultures, during an interview with CGTN. Via this exhibition that will run until January 5, the artist leads visitors on a journey across time and space, enabling them to appreciate the diverse meanings and spiritual values that horses embody in different cultural contexts. 

One of highlights of the exhibition is the pony images that have been transformed into comical figures. Some of the paintings feature "girl-faced ponies,”which, with their unique creative concepts and fantastical brushstrokes, endow the image of the horse with an air of mystery. In addition to those vividly-rendered works, the artist presented dozens of ink wash paintings based on the theme of galloping horses, capturing the dynamic energy of these magnificent animals.

Every year, Qiu Liquan channels his creativity into producing a wealth of zodiac-themed works, masterfully blending motifs from classical Chinese literature, idioms, and allegorical sayings into his portrayals of animals. His creations not only pay homage to tradition but also breathe new life into ancient wisdom through a modern artistic lens.