As firecrackers echo across Beijing for Lunar New Year celebrations, contemporary artist Li Wei is painting a bridge between past and future – one neon-stroked horse at a time. 🖌️⚡
Born in 2002 under the Horse zodiac sign, Li's bold reinterpretations of this symbolic animal are going viral across Chinese social platforms. His works fuse traditional ink techniques with electric color gradients that glow under UV light, creating what he calls "time-traveling art for Gen-Z."
When Ancient Symbols Meet Cyberpunk Vibes
"The horse represents freedom and perseverance," Li told NewspaperAmigo during his gallery prep. "But in 2026, we're not riding into battle – we're charging through digital landscapes." 🖥️🌌
His signature piece Celestial Steed features a rearing horse whose mane dissolves into binary code, while the hooves kick up traditional cloud patterns. Early collectors include tech entrepreneurs and K-pop stars seeking "culturally lit" decor.
Zodiac 2.0: Tradition Gets a Glow-Up
This modern twist comes as China's Ministry of Culture reports record engagement with heritage themes among under-30s. Li's Beijing exhibition (free until Feb 20) has drawn over 50,000 visitors since opening – 80% aged 18-25.
"It's like he took my grandma's zodiac calendar and gave it a TikTok filter," laughed Malaysian student Priya K., 21. "Now I want to learn real ink painting!" 🎨📱
