Photography: Sebastiano Vitale.
Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China (October 20, 2015) – Fine art equestrian photography recently exploded in the Far East, as The Raw Horse debuted multiple exhibitions across China to resounding approval. Brainchild of Italian photographer Sebastiano Vitale, The Raw Horse features breathtaking equestrian images from shoots in Wellington, Florida, Poland, Argentina, Texas, California, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Following the first two exhibitions at museums in Beijing and Shanghai, Vitale and his collection of art were invited to participate in numerous equestrian events across China, from Cavalia’s Asian tour and the Longines Global Champions Tour Hong Kong to Dalian Beach Polo.
A visual hymn to the relationship between horse and human, The Raw Horse depicts the sheer beauty, peace, and freedom of the equine. The images range from impressionistic to precise, and compose an optic allegory of the horse, painting the equine as a metaphor of the ancestral human feelings of peace, nobility, fear, freedom, vivacity, sadness, and love. The limited edition fine art prints are featured in a select number of galleries from Shanghai to Los Angeles, and include a series of photographic objects and sculpture intended for collectors and private galleries.
Following debut museum showings at the Shanghai Sculpture Park and Today Art Museum Beijing in late 2014, The Raw Horse commenced its 2015 tour at the Longines Hong Kong Masters at the AsiaWorld-Expo. The prestigious social and competitive event evenly distributes the limelight between sport, fashion, and art. The most exclusive names in the world of equestrianism, couture and luxury brands were showcased in conjunction with 25 of the world’s top horses and riders vying for over 1 million USD in prize money during the CSI 5* class. The Raw Horse was selected for a large scale solo exhibition at this prestigious showcase, and was also a presenter at the ultra-modern Espace Hong Kong exhibition and the SO! Dalian Beach Polo tournament in June of 2015.
The primal poetry of The Raw Horse caught the attention of Cavalia creator and co-founder of Cirque du Soleil, Normand Latourelle. Vitale and his photography were selected to join the Cavalia Asian tour, based in Shanghai, and featured limited edition Raw Horse prints on display in the fantastic Cavalia show tent erected adjacent to the China Art Museum. Cavalia, which features 40 horses and 40 riders, aerialists, acrobats, dancers and musicians, celebrates the relationship between horse and human, making The Raw Horse a perfect complement to the show. Seen by over 4 million spectators across North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Asia since its 2003 debut, Cavalia hosted The Raw Horse in July and August of 2015.
Vitale, who is based out of the United States in the winter, schedules a select number of private shoots for clients per year. His portfolio of work includes some of the biggest names in entertainment and equestrianism, including T.E.A.M. Israel’s equestrian team in Wellington, Florida and Rolling Stone’s drummer Charlie Watts, his wife, Shirley, and their Polish bred Arabians. Vitale’s photography has been featured in numerous mainstream and equestrian magazines, and his background includes more than 15 years of experience in art, mass communication, and visual journalism, creating campaigns for FIAT, the Olympic Games, RAI, and Grazia Neri. The Raw Horse is his latest body of work and was launched at the prestigious Miami Art Basel in 2012 to international acclaim for its combination of equestrianism and reflection of the human condition.
For more information on The Raw Horse or Sebastiano Vitale, visit www.therawhorse.com or contact Equinium Sports Marketing: www.equinium.com, holly@equinium.com, +1 954 205 7992.