The Gravity Art Museum is set to present the cross-year exhibition Light Chaser: The Contemporary Expression of Horses on December 21, 2025. This exhibition has invited 44 domestic and international artists/groups, and brings together over 70 works across diverse media including painting, sculpture and video art. These pieces range from vivid depictions of the horse’s biological form and heartfelt tributes to its spiritual symbolism, to contemporary deconstructions of this enduring cultural icon, showcasing the diverse approaches contemporary artists take when engaging with this ancient yet perpetually vital motif. To us, the horse is not merely a subject to be depicted, but an open thread that connects tradition and contemporaneity, the figurative and the abstract, narrative and concept. It weaves together a dialogue between artists’ individual experiences and our collective cultural memory.
The horse, as one of humanity’s most intimate companions in the course of civilization, occupies a unique place in history and culture. In ancient societies, it was vital to farming, transport, and warfare, and became a symbol of power and spirit, closely tied to grand narratives of strength, territory, and heroism. Yet, with the rise of mechanization and urbanization, its traditional roles were gradually assumed by new technologies, and it faded from the daily life of humankind. Today, except in pastoral regions and equestrian farms, encounters with horses have become uncommon.
The image of the horse has long transcended its biological definition, becoming a vessel for profound human emotions and spiritual projections. Docile yet powerful, loyal yet courageous, elegant and deeply spirited—these qualities have rendered it a profoundly evocative medium in artistic expression. It is precisely for this reason that the horse has been a constant presence throughout the history of art, from ancient rock paintings and religious frescoes to traditional works and modern cinema. It has inspired countless masterpieces on the subject, forming one of the most enduring and vibrant lineages of imagery in human visual culture. Even today, in the context of contemporary art, the horse continues to be depicted, reinterpreted, and reimagined. Through diverse artistic languages, it acquires new spiritual dimensions and formal possibilities, perpetually renewing its vitality.
Light Chaser: Special Exhibition for the Year of the Horse
