8th to 16th January 2005

Thanks to the support and cooperation of Mr. Claude Eerdekens, Minister of Sports and Mayor of Andenne and the collaboration of the Andenne city hall administration, our first real "Horse Art" exhibition took place in the Andenne Town Hall.

Fourteen talented artists from Belgium, Greece, France and the U.S. presented Skyros horse-related paintings, sculptures and photographs : Pascale BOUCHOLZER, Christine CORNET, Yves DONNAY, Laurent FRISON, Luc GAZON, Christiane JAVAUX, Makis KONSTANDELAKIS, Michael LAWRENCE, Philippe MEYRIER, Audrey MIGEOTTE, Georges PENNAS, Jean SPIROUX-MATHIEU, Aliki Alexandra STEEN, Ariane THONON.

In his preview speech, Mr. Claude Eerdekens reminded the audience that "the horse has had a deeper and more lasting influence on the history of mankind than any other creature. Continents have been discovered on horseback and empires conquered, the horse has helped to transport goods and develop the culture of travel. Thus it has determined the fate of communities and nations, been decisive in victory or defeat, in wealth and poverty, indeed even in life and death.

Domestication of the horse brought about a fundamental change in people's lives. And the change instigated by industrialisation at the end of the 19th century was equally revolutionary. Within just a few decades the horse, in Belgium, Greece and other Western countries, became virtually redundant, in agriculture just as in the army or as a means of transport for people and goods.

The entire species seemed almost threatened by extinction when, just in time, the horse was re-discovered as an ideal partner for sport and leisure time. Special efforts were made to maintain endangered breeds, such as the Belgian draft horse. Equestrian events, horse shows and holidays on horseback enjoyed a tremendous revival. The number of equestrian and hippotherapy centres multiplied within only a few years. In the same way we should now maintain and save the "hipparion" (small horse) of Greece from extinction; a unique breed of horses from Greek antiquity, a horse that has shared for many thousands of years our ancestors' grand and sometimes turbulent history".

During the exhibition we had the pleasure of meeting horse and/or art connoisseurs from Belgium and neighbouring countries. After a successful exhibition, the remaining "Horse Art" works were transferred to the permanent SILVA exhibition location in Seilles, Belgium, until the next "Horse Art" exhibition which will be held in Gembloux from the 6th to the 16th of May 2005.

Should you require additional information you may contact us at info@horseart.org