"Vigorous Horse" Zeng Shanqing

I am sorry it has taken me so long to write, but life just got in the way this week.
   I found this artist and image late last week and am so excited about exchanging comments about it with you.
   Artist is Zeng Shanqing (1932-) and the work is titled, Vigorous Horse.  It was completed in 2002 and is part of the collection of Williams College, Museum of Art.  It is an ink and color on paper, measuring 17" x 27".  Shanqing was born in Beijing, China working as a college professor at the Central Academy of Art.  From 1949-1970's his creative work was stifled by the Cultural Revolution of ruler Moa Zedong.  He suffered political criticism and endured several years of physical labor.   In 1986 he moved to the United States and is currently living in New York City with his artist wife, Yang Yamping.
  The horse is an important image in Chinese mythology and legend, and is the 7th cycle of the Chinese zodiac. So here, Shanqing image directly relates to the trauma of his early years.  But the struggle this dynamic animal is experiencing speaks for all humanity and animals under the control of another.   His violent, pent-up energy is frightening, and his size inside the perimeters of the whole relates to not a sole struggling figure, but many.  We can only guess as to the repercussions if the horse were released from captivity.
   Make Art a part of your life, it's a wonderful thing to do.

Comments

  1. charguthFebruary 1, 2020 at 5:32 PM

    Yes, I researched a bit and found many horse figures used in Chinese art. This horse appears to be in a rage. Is he rebelling against being tethered to the post or does it represent other unseen forces that he might be trying to escape? I love this painting, the simple but strong brush strokes and the emotion - fear, force, rebellion. I think it must represent some personal feelings of the artist, because it is such a strong image. The orange post and rope are so important, and the limited colors creates a real drama. Thankyou for this great image.

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