Artist captures mountains of inspiration in his works

A special exhibition to display renowned artist Han Meilin's latest artworks and to mark the upcoming Year of the Horse opened on Sunday at the Han Meilin Art Museum in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.

At the opening ceremony, Han reflected on his long-standing connection to the Helan Mountains, a natural landmark on the border between Ningxia and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

"At the opening ceremony of the Yinchuan Han Meilin Art Museum in 2015, I bowed deeply toward the Helan Mountains in gratitude," Han said.

"They marked a turning point in my artistic journey. Whatever achievements I have made can be attributed to the Helan Mountains."

Taking the zodiac animal, the horse, as its central theme, the exhibition features more than 100 works by Han, including paintings, sculptures, rock carvings, and rubbings. By placing the ancient, vigorous horse imagery found in Helan Mountain rock art in dialogue with Han's expressive and unrestrained "Meilin horses", the exhibition creates a visual conversation that spans time and history.

Among the highlights is Han's ink painting Horse, which stands out for its bold, economical style. Using thick, forceful lines to define the horse's body and blocks of color for its form, Han achieves an effect that is both abstract and minimalist. Notably, the horse is depicted without hooves — suggested with a single stroke — giving the figure a sense of light movement.

Han explained that this distinctive approach is rooted in tradition. "Our ancestors taught me to paint this way," he said, noting that animals in Helan Mountain rock art are also depicted without hooves.

The exhibition also commemorates the museum's 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, the Han Meilin Art Museum has welcomed more than 4 million visitors and provided over 20,000 free volunteer-guided tours. It continues to deepen its commitment to public art education by developing innovative educational programs and expanding access to diverse audiences.

Reflecting on his early encounters with the region, Han said, "Decades ago, I came to this land south of the Great Wall, beneath the Helan Mountains. After a lifetime devoted to art, I never expected that Helan Mountain rock art would give me such a profound artistic stimulus. This is where the roots and soul of the Chinese nation reside."

The exhibition will run through March 31.