Institute of Philanthropy collaborates with the Palace Museum to launch “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum”

The opening ceremony of the “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum” exhibition was held in the Hall of Literary Brilliance at the Palace Museum. Exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and organised by the Palace Museum, the exhibition presents more than 50 paintings and calligraphic works from the Palace Museum's collection, including 20 Grade One national treasures, illustrating the bond between horses and humans and the special role of the horse in Chinese culture.

Guests tour the “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum” exhibition.

The exhibition explores four themes: Leisure, Herding, the Warhorse and the Spiritual Horse, with selected paintings and calligraphic treasures from the Palace Museum's collection. Spanning the Tang and Song dynasties, the Ming and Qing dynasties, through to the modern era, it presents important works by renowned masters including Li Gonglin, Zhao Mengfu, Ren Renfa, Giuseppe Castiglione and Xu Beihong. Through these treasures the exhibition immerses visitors in the world of horses across the ages, deepening their understanding of the nation and its equine culture, and fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lester Huang, IoP Chairman, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Ivy Lin, Head (Cultural Exchange), Beijing Office of HKSAR Government; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; and Dr Eric Li, IoP Director. Additional officiating guests include representatives from the Palace Museum, The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Chinese Museums Association, National Cultural Heritage Administration, and The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony.

Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum, said that the spirit of horse culture is rooted in the pursuit of steady progress and long-term aspiration, which resonates with the Palace Museum's ethos of respectfully preserving tradition and skilfully passing on this heritage. In this Year of the Horse, the Palace Museum organised this exhibition to celebrate the uplifting spirit of the times, encouraging visitors to enjoy ancient masterpieces, explore the social history and humanistic spirit of different eras, and gain a deeper appreciation of the richness and depth of Chinese culture.

Lester Huang, IoP Chairman, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said that the Forbidden City, a treasure of Chinese civilisation, provides the ideal backdrop for an exhibition celebrating the deep cultural significance of horses throughout Chinese history. He noted the harmony between the Palace Museum’s rich heritage and this horse-culture exhibition, which reflects the ethos of past societies and honours China’s equestrian tradition. Coinciding with the Year of the Horse, the exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore the many meanings of the horse across history and art.

Lester Huang, IoP Chairman, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum” exhibition.

Established as a “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia and beyond through a seed grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, IoP is collaborating with the Palace Museum on a five-year initiative to foster cultural exchange and develop arts tech talent. This exhibition is a key component of that collaboration. Aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, IoP will continue to support Hong Kong in deepening its role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

The exhibition is also one of the highlights of the Club's Year of the Horse campaign.The Year of the Horse holds special significance for Hong Kong and the Club. With its elegance and power, the horse has become an enduring emblem of passion, dynamism and rapid progress – qualities that resonate deeply with Hong Kong’s own “can-do” spirit. Horse racing is not only Hong Kong’s favourite pastime, but a symbol of its prosperity and stability under One Country, Two Systems.

Guests tour the “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum” exhibition.

With the theme “Riding High Together in the Year of the Horse”, the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign aims to honour the profound partnership between human and horse and to unite the community through thrilling races, international equestrian spectacles and a special series of cultural, sporting and family events. The year-long campaign is a community celebration, a tourist attraction and an opportunity to promote equine and community sports development. A major highlight is the launch of regular racing together with equine-themed sports, cultural and tourism events at Conghua Racecourse, Guangzhou, at the end of October. This will be a significant milestone in the Club’s support for national equine industry development in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. For more information on the Year of the Horse campaign, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

The Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour, part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, has moved to Exchange Square and Jardine House in Central, where it will run until 17 November. The community exhibition showcases horse sculptures created by renowned artist Simon Ma, together with mini “Harmonious Horse” sculptures painted by members of the public. The works celebrate the bond between horses and humans and symbolise the Club’s connection with the community.

Horse sculptures created by artist Simon Ma and mini “Harmonious Horse” sculptures are on display at Exchange Square and Jardine House in Central until 17 November.

Horse sculptures created by artist Simon Ma and mini “Harmonious Horse” sculptures are on display at Exchange Square and Jardine House in Central until 17 November.

Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Guests attending a ceremony for the exhibition in Central included Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and artist Simon Ma.

Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and artist Simon Ma (2nd left), together with two student representatives, pose at the Central Community Exhibition of the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour - part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign.

Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left), receives a painting created by artist Simon Ma (right), as a token of appreciation for the Club’s support of the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour.

The Club-supported Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour has brought horse culture and contemporary art to various communities since the beginning of the Year of the Horse in February. In Hong Kong, the exhibition has been staged at Sha Tin Racecourse, Beas River Country Club, The Hilltop in The Valley at Happy Valley, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tamar Park and North Point Ferry Pier, as well as schools and NGO centres. Students have been invited to paint mini “Harmonious Horse” sculptures, harnessing their creativity to express their wishes for society. The tour has also visited Beijing and Shanghai and will later travel to other cities across the Chinese Mainland, sharing the spirit and vitality embodied by horses with audiences in more places.

Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (3rd left) and other guests tour the exhibition with artist Simon Ma (2nd right).

Winfried Engelbrecht‑Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and students paint mini horse sculptures at the Central Community Exhibition of the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour.

Students paint mini horse sculptures at the Central Community Exhibition of the Harmonious Horse International Exhibition Tour.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Group photo.

Group photo.