Portfolio of Works

Ancient contemporary.

In the following, I delve into the genesis of my "Heavenly Horses" series (9 paintings) and offer a glimpse into their historical roots.

In 2015, I embarked on a journey in Santa Fe to explore a different facet of the horse's enduring legacy. While the region beautifully celebrates the animal's wild, kinetic freedom, my own artistic vision drew me toward a more stately, grounded portrayal. I wanted to capture the horse not just as a symbol of the untamed West, but as a timeless, serene anchor—reminiscent of ancient traditions that honor them as divine protectors and ethereal beings.

To achieve this, I turned to the Tang Dynasty’s tomb figurines, finding a deep connection in their representation of imperial power, quiet dignity, and structured beauty. By blending these ancient Chinese aesthetics with contemporary sensibilities, this series became a bridge between cultures. It is an exploration that not only celebrates the majestic form of the horse but also reflects the shared weight, grace, and cultural tapestry of our human condition.

It was during the Han Dynasty (104 - 102 BC) Emperor Wu said the Ferghana horse was the most beautiful and perfect…they are “The Heavenly Horses.” 

Although the heavenly horses inspired many works of art, including pottery horses from the Western Jin, Tang, and Ming Dynasties, I was particularly drawn to the statues from the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD - a golden age of Chinese arts and culture). The tomb figures were buried with Emperors for the purpose of being with them in the afterlife.

“The Tang dynasty (618–907) began in 618 when a group of warlords quelled the internal unrest gripping China and allowed its inhabitants to concentrate on expanding the borders and controlling the valuable trade routes to the West. During the ensuing period of economic prosperity, the growing ceramics industry found a strong market for mingqi (spirit goods), tomb furnishings in the form of models and figurines to be used by the departed in the afterlife. Foremost among the legions of popular lokapalas (guardian deities), mythical spirits, servants, officials, and animals…the horse was the lifeblood of the Tang military, administrative, and commercial machine…” (© 2022 Crow Museum of Asian Art dba Crow Family Foundation)

The majestic, stylized form of Tang pottery anchors the core of this project, the series expands to revere other masterworks of antiquity chosen for their singular beauty and spiritual resonance. This includes a painting inspired by the dynamic grace of the Han Dynasty’s iconic Gansu Flying Horse, Heavenly Horses Series #7, as well as a piece inspired by a highly popular mid-century modern decorative replica. This horse sculpture, featured in Heavenly Horses Series #5, is not an ancient relic, nor is it a genuine historical piece of art carved from Chunar sandstone in Mirzapur, India. Rather, it is a painting inspired by designer Carolyn Kinder (1943-2023), who created the original piece as a stylized, romanticized homage to Chinese Tang Dynasty tomb horses. Through my canvas, it becomes a cultural synthesis bridging the gap between historical reverence and contemporary decor.

By blending these diverse ancient aesthetics with contemporary sensibilities, this series becomes a bridge across both time and cultures. It is an exploration that not only celebrates the majestic form of the horse but also reflects the shared weight, grace, and cultural tapestry of our human condition.

Please stay tuned for future additions to the series. Thank you for visiting my website.