Ning Chen

The 2026 Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Horse, a zodiac symbol traditionally associated with vitality, strength, independence, and good fortune. In Chinese culture, the Horse represents energy, perseverance, and the pursuit of freedom — qualities celebrated through centuries of storytelling, art, and language.

As the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle, the Horse is linked to optimism, charisma, and leadership, embodying both ambition and expressive spirit. In 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse further emphasises passion, creativity, and bold movement.

This cultural symbolism resonates strongly with artistic practice, where the Horse has long served as a metaphor for renewal, progress, and the relationship between human imagination and the natural world. Within the context of the exhibition, the Year of the Horse becomes a lens through which ideas of motion, identity, and cross-cultural dialogue can be explored.