“In Celebration of 2014, the Chinese Year of the Horse”

 

“In Celebration of 2014, the Chinese Year of the Horse,”

“In Celebration of 2014, the Chinese Year of the Horse,” is  a group show comprising thirty-four artists, to raise money for the Zimbabwe Equestrian Society. I am excited to be participating, using semi-burnt items from my house fire, to re-create energy and positive statements….

Participants in “In Celebration of 2014, the Chinese Year of the Horse,”

 

I am soooo excited to be exhibiting with diverse and inspiring fellow artists….and I know that Helen Teede’s curatorship will result in a thought-provoking and inspiring exhibition!

2014 is the Year of the Wood Horse….

Since 2014 is a Wood Horse, the Wood element is about reaching onwards and upwards, planning ahead. Will grand plans come to fruition? Be somewhat circumspect when it comes to formulating your blueprints for the year ahead. Whilst the Wood element may influence you to move forwards, the Fire in the Horse, which sits beneath the Wood, can burn up some of your designs, if you are not careful.

Whew….!

I have direct experience of the destructive force of fire after our house fire earlier this year, when much of our art and possessions were burnt…

Wood energy is renewal, flexibility and boundless creativity. Together with the energy of the noble, powerful horse, this combination is an unstoppable force- in my work I hope to  harness and experience the energy of the horse as a creative urge.

My painting, “Zebra Energy, Baobab Burnt” is a powerful zebra, horse of Africa, rearing within the embrace of a gigantic baobab tree….
This is painted on a canvas rescued from the flames of my burning house by brave friends.

“Zebra Energy, Baobab Burnt” , acrylic on canvas, 150 x 200 cm, by Lin Barrie.

Zebra Energy Baobab Burnt

 

Here is detail from that huge painting….

Detail of “Zebra Energy , Baobab Burnt”

Zebra,
striped horse of Africa.
You are power,
dynamic force,
uncorked enthusiasm.

Baobab,
iconic tree of Africa.
You are stability,
flexibility,
vulnerable earth-force.

 

My installation, “Zebra Portal” is created from one of the burnt doors of my home, rescued from a recent fire. The power of that African horse, the zebra, is dynamic, dramatic, even though constrained by the charred frame of the door……
“Zebra Portal”, Acrylic and wood, mixed media installation, 200x100cm

Zebra Portal – acrylic and wood – 200 x 100 cm

 

From flames ,
Burnt wood,
And destruction
Comes new hope,
Energy
Resilience

Zebra Portal detail and Lin Barrie signature