'Belief Defines Greatness'! Loretta Yang's Glass Horse Sculptures on Show

"Belief Defines Greatness – From a Single Thought, Leaping a Thousand Miles Towards Triumph," a solo exhibition featuring Loretta Yang's glass horse sculptures is currently on at the Liuli China Museum in Shanghai.

Yang, both the artist and founder of Liuligongfang, is a pioneer in bringing the charisma of glass into contemporary art in China.

The exhibition features more than 20 equine-themed works, including 12 new creations conceived especially for the upcoming Year of the Horse.

As a veteran in the glass field for four decades, she once again challenges the limits of both artistry and craftsmanship using traditional Pate-de-verre techniques, which are now recognized as intangible cultural heritage for this exhibition. The layering of hues, the precision required for color fixation, polishing on complex curves, and the incorporation of gold leaf all demanded both skilled mastery and creative spirit.

For Yang, the horse is more than just a horse, it is symbol of faith.

The highlights of the exhibition are four large-scale pieces titled "Excelsior," "Blaze," "Faith" and "Ascension," which are inspired from the traditional elemental forces of wind, fire, earth and qi, respectively.

For example, "Excelsior" features a galloping horse with its mane billowing from its breakneck speed. On closer inspection, keen viewers may discover a secret – hidden within its flying tresses are eight miniature horses. Some lift their heads high, others race ahead, but all in harmony with the piece as a whole.

"Blaze," meanwhile, presents eight horses with distinct demeanors. Some lead the charge, some hold steady in the middle, others protect and support from the back. Together they form a circle of tableau with unity. According to the artist, the piece was quite challenging to implement as it pardoned no tiny mistake in the complete process.

"Faith" features a charger thrust forward at an almost 40-degree incline, surging with unyielding force. Beneath its hooves rise triangular peaks, a blue and green mountain range that mirrors its speed, strength and conviction.

"Ascension" reimagines the celestial steeds of the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) for contemporary audiences while paying tribute to the fearless spirit.

Absorbing traditional Chinese cultures and reflecting her own language, Yang reveals that many of her art instincts come from her early years as an actress.

"The Cloud-Riding King Steed," also shown at the exhibition, is inspired by a fading Han Dynasty wall carving, now barely visible.

"When I reimagined it in three-dimensional form, the tilt of the head of the horse and the gaze in the eyes gave it an unanticipated depth," she said.

Exhibition Info

Date: 10am-8pm, Through December 15

Address: 1/F, 25 Taikang Rd

泰康路25号1楼

Admission: Free