Horses in creative artistic colors

(GLO) - Through diverse artistic languages, many artists in Gia Lai have begun their creative inspiration for the new year with the image of the horse - the mascot of the Year of the Horse 2026. Each work is imbued with many aspirations and personal views on art and life.

1. These days, sculptor Nguyen Nam and his collaborators are in the process of completing a set of three reinforced concrete horse statues , symbolizing a close-knit family. The most impressive is the male horse galloping with great courage.

He said this horse is about 2.3 meters tall, while the others are smaller in size, and the construction took a month. Each piece has a very realistic and lifelike appearance thanks to the attention to anatomical details. A bronze-effect paint will also be used to highlight the muscles, creating a unique artistic appeal.

Sculptor Nguyen Nam (far right) and his collaborators are completing a work inspired by the zodiac animal of the year. Photo: Lam Nguyen

Nguyen Nam shared that he doesn't often create designs for the zodiac animal of the year, but this year's works were created for personal reasons; both he and his wife were born in the year of the Horse.

"The artwork conveys my wish for peace and breakthroughs in the new year. I also plan to open a coffee shop or restaurant in the future, and these artworks are a gradual preparation to decorate the place when that time comes," Nam confided.

Instead of sculpting horses in a galloping pose, sculptor Trieu Tien Dung chose to create statues of two horses leisurely grazing on grass. "I made them just to 'let' them out into the garden to play, so I wanted to create a shape that looked relaxed and at ease, not hurried," he said.

Initially, the artist intended to create a mother horse and foal using reinforced concrete. However, during the process, he changed his mind and decided to create a pair of horses, symbolizing a life together, complete and harmonious.

Horses frolic in the garden of sculptor Trieu Tien Dung. Photo: Lam Nguyen.

Taking advantage of his spacious garden, Trieu Tien Dung "released" two horses, ranging in height from 1.6m to nearly 2m, into the same space as the already completed deer enclosure, allowing them to freely "play" on the grass beside the bougainvillea trellis. Being thoughtful, he also prepared a small ladder chair for neighborhood children to climb onto for photos during Tet (Lunar New Year).

The artwork "Whispers" by artist Nguyen Van Chung. Photo: Provided by the artist.

2. Upon unveiling several paintings inspired by the horse as a mascot, artist Nguyen Van Chung - Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Fine Arts Association - immediately received much praise from friends and colleagues.

While "Silence" (mixed media, 60x80 cm) is a lyrical self-narrative of a girl born in the year of the Horse, "Whispers" (acrylic, 70x70 cm) tells a very romantic love story with the image of two horses on a flowerbed.

Artist Nguyen Van Chung shared that horses are strong, resilient, and yet very affectionate creatures, and he chose to depict their gentle side first. However, with his multifaceted nature, he is still working on another impressive painting capturing the galloping of a pair of horses on a long journey.

Meanwhile, when viewing the horse paintings of artist Le Nguyen Thao My, viewers are immediately captivated by the strong feminine charm in the imagery of these horses, imbued with a unique folk style.

To welcome the Year of the Horse 2026, she created three acrylic paintings with vibrant yet peaceful color tones, incorporating details that reflect the culture of the Central Highlands, such as brocade fabrics and reeds.

The horses depicted in the paintings by artist Le Nguyen Thao My combine folk art elements with some aspects of Central Highlands culture. (Photo: Provided by the artist)

Thảo My shared: Inspired by a lovely suggestion from her young daughter, born in the year of the Horse, she transformed this animal into a symbol of family affection and happiness.

The horses in "Spring's Declaration of Love" (100x100 cm) and "The Beloved Black Horse" (80x100 cm) are intertwined, entwined with peach blossoms and the ever-present spring. The painting "Spring Colors" (60x80 cm), however, features only a single mare, yet the rose branch she clings to evokes a vision of a beautiful future.

"Through these works, I convey my wish for a happy new year, and for 'success and prosperity'."

"It's wonderful that the artists' response to this year's mascot theme has created a vibrant and colorful spring-themed artistic atmosphere," Thao My commented.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/ngua-trong-sac-mau-sang-tao-nghe-thuat-post577711.html