The Tale of the Horse
WHEN I was growing up in the 1950s, the horse had all but disappeared from our daily lives, showing up only at race courses, polo grounds and the occasional circus. Nevertheless, symbols of its greatness as a wild, individualist spirit remained in popular memory and cultural expression.
ArtVoice’s The Tale of the Horse exhibition, launched just before the Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse, hoped to capture this spirit and reflect on its enduring symbolism. This particular lunar year is believed to be a time that combines movement [the restless energy of the horse] and transformation [the volatile force of fire]. In other words, it could be a period of acceleration and upheaval, with events moving swiftly and unpredictably. The US-Israeli attack on Iran and the ensuing war that has engulfed the Middle East appear to echo predictions about turbulent Fire Horse years.
The introduction to the exhibition, focusing on cultural and artistic expression, states the following:
The horse, a creature of power, grace, and enduring spirit, has galloped through human history as a symbol, companion, and muse. From prehistoric cave paintings to classical sculptures and modern canvases, its image transcends cultures and epochs, reflecting our deepest desires, fears, and aspirations. But how do contemporary artists continue to interpret this ancient bond in new and compelling ways?
These thirteen artists collectively demonstrate the horse’s incredible versatility as an artistic subject and the boundless creativity in narrative construction. From archaeological reconstructions to futuristic speculations, from deeply personal memoirs to broad social commentaries, their approaches span a wide spectrum.
We see narratives told through fragmented imagery, stark contrasts, mythological allegories, visceral brush strokes, direct satire, environmental dialogues, dynamic observations, digital immersion, historical detail, abstract forms, cultural motifs, intimate portraits, and surreal dreamscapes.
What unites these diverse interpretations is not a single story, but a shared reverence for the horse’s symbolic power and an innovative spirit in translating that power into compelling art. Each artist, in their unique way, invites us to look beyond the mere image of the horse and engage with the deeper stories it carries.
Flora, 2026: Vastu shastra, mixed media, 75 cm x 240 cm; Stephen Menon, 2016: Z series - Pegagus, screenprint on canvas, 76 cm x 102 cm
Elly Nor Suria, 2026: Jaran dan bayang sore, mixed media, 61 cm x 90 cm; Bingley Sim, 2026: Stand and deliver, mixed media on canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm
Choy Khye Fatt, 2025: Muffled, mixed media on jute, 60 cm x 60 cm; Sandru, 2026: Live like horse, acrylic on canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm
Constance Teo, 2026: The move, mixed media on thangka canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm; Liu Cheng Hua, 2026: The same race, twice, mixed media, 61 cm x 61 cm
Thanaselvam, 2026: Kuda sembrani, mixed media on canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm; Thineswari G, 2026: 1/6 Gopal, digital artprint on canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm
Lim Siang Jin, 1981: Acrobat and horse, acrylic on canvas, 29.7 cm x 40 cm; Zulkefli Talha, 2026: Warhorse, acrylic on canvas, 61 cm x 61 cm
Note on my “Acrobat and horse” (above): In the early 1980s, fascinated by the bright colours of acrylics, I painted a short series on canvas measuring 29.7 cm x 40 cm. I have never forgotten that time in 1981 while I was working for The Malay Mail, and I plan to eventually exhibit the entire set, either individually or together. In 2020, when I returned to painting, I had a series called “Adventures with acrylics”. Click here to view.
Click here to download the catalogue for “The tale of the horse”
