Visual Description and Theme
Abstract Expressionism
This substantial canvas is a forceful example of Abstract Expressionism and Cubism. The artist uses oil on canvas to apply thick, highly textured paint (impasto) in dynamic, aggressive strokes. The entire composition is fragmented into angular, overlapping planes of color.
Symbolic Composition and Color
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The Horse: The head and neck of a horse dominate the right side of the canvas, rendered in bold, geometric facets of bright yellow, teal, and green. This figure represents the enduring spirit and importance of the horse in Mongolian nomadic culture.
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The Ovoo: The rest of the composition, particularly the lower and left sections, is an abstract, chaotic field of intense colors—deep reds, cobalt blues, purples, and oranges. This area symbolically represents the Ovoo, a sacred stone heap or altar in Mongolian Tengrism/Shamanism, connecting the work to the spiritual veneration of nature and the land.
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Turbulent Energy: The clashing, non-naturalistic colors create a turbulent, energetic mood. The division between the white, flowing paint surrounding the horse and the explosion of color in the foreground emphasizes the intense, mystical power of the spiritual site and its connection to the natural world.
Theme
“OVOO” serves as an abstract celebration of ancient Mongolian spirituality. It merges the figure of the horse (identity) with the symbolic representation of the Ovoo (sacred land), interpreting traditional beliefs through a bold, aggressive, and highly modern aesthetic.