Thousands of years ago, the ancient Chinese observed the horse with remarkable sensitivity. Through its form, movement, and character, they gradually transformed a living creature into a written symbol.
What extraordinary wisdom — to capture the essence of a horse in just a few strokes, allowing that ancient image to travel through thousands of years of human history.
In this work, I wanted to rediscover that wisdom through the movement of my brush.
The powerful curves, flowing dry-brush strokes, and unexpected spaces are not merely elements of a written character. To me, they evoke the spirit of a horse — its freedom, vitality, confidence, and untamed energy.
I am fascinated by how an ancient symbol can still feel so alive.
A horse becomes a character. A character becomes a living spirit.
Perhaps this is one of the quiet wonders of Chinese calligraphy: the ability to find life within a single written form.
Artwork Details
Title: The Spirit of the Horse (馬)
Medium: Original Chinese ink calligraphy on Xuan paper
Style: Expressive Chinese seal script
Artwork size: 33 × 65 cm (approximately 13 × 25.6 inches)
Mounted size: 45 × 88 cm (approximately 17.7 × 34.6 inches)
Mounting: Traditional silk damask border in deep blue
Presentation: Mounted artwork, unframed
Shipping: Carefully rolled and shipped in a protective mailing tube
Original: One-of-a-kind, hand-brushed artwork
A Thought to Carry With You
Sometimes, the simplest lines carry the deepest memories of life.
— Gengxin Chen
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Chinese observed the horse with remarkable sensitivity. Through its form, movement, and character, they gradually transformed a living creature into a written symbol.
What extraordinary wisdom — to capture the essence of a horse in just a few strokes, allowing that ancient image to travel through thousands of years of human history.
In this work, I wanted to rediscover that wisdom through the movement of my brush.
The powerful curves, flowing dry-brush strokes, and unexpected spaces are not merely elements of a written character. To me, they evoke the spirit of a horse — its freedom, vitality, confidence, and untamed energy.
I am fascinated by how an ancient symbol can still feel so alive.
A horse becomes a character. A character becomes a living spirit.
Perhaps this is one of the quiet wonders of Chinese calligraphy: the ability to find life within a single written form.
Artwork Details
Title: The Spirit of the Horse (馬)
Medium: Original Chinese ink calligraphy on Xuan paper
Style: Expressive Chinese seal script
Artwork size: 33 × 65 cm (approximately 13 × 25.6 inches)
Mounted size: 45 × 88 cm (approximately 17.7 × 34.6 inches)
Mounting: Traditional silk damask border in deep blue
Presentation: Mounted artwork, unframed
Shipping: Carefully rolled and shipped in a protective mailing tube
Original: One-of-a-kind, hand-brushed artwork
A Thought to Carry With You
Sometimes, the simplest lines carry the deepest memories of life.
— Gengxin Chen