YEAR OF THE HORSE

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Across cultures and mythologies, the horse endures as a powerful symbol of joy, transformation, ambition and the unyielding pursuit of freedom. In the Somerset region, horses remain an integral part of community life.

From camp draft arenas and local pony club competitions, to rodeos and trail rides across the countryside, the horse continues to feature in the region’s social,
economic and cultural landscape. The bonds formed between people and horses are often lifelong, shaped by trust, respect, hard work and quiet
companionship. This exhibition brings together nine Somerset
artists who reflect on the horse as both a mythological figure and a personal presence. Working across a range of mediums, the artists reflect on the wider symbolism of the horse, alongside its contemporary role within the region and impact on the local environment. Year of the horse offers thoughtful responses to
the horse as symbol, partner andenduring cultural icon.

ELIZABETH POOLE, OBSERVATIONS AT AN AGRICULTURAL SHOW, 2025, WIRE AND COPPER SCULPTURE ON PERSPEX.

BIRTHMARK, SEE ME EVERYWHERE

ALEXANDRA SLOANE

Birthmark, see me everywhere, explores the intertwining of body, nature, and space through a lens of fantasy, memory, and ecological embodiment. Drawing becomes a form of ritual and memory, where mark-making captures not only the movement of the body but also a deeply emotional and environmental awareness of being in the world.

Additionally, the exhibition seeks to engage with themes of childhood as a site of both naivety and power, invoking ritualistic processes like spell-making to explore how we protect ourselves and the world around us. 

ALEXANDRA SLOANE, CURL, 2025,