The Chinese Lunar New Year marks 2026 as the year of the fire horse. It’s a season known for passion, strength, freedom and rapid change.
Dallas’ Gallery 123 is celebrating with an exhibition titled “Year of the Horse: The Art of Mel Auberty,” on display now through May 17.
“Never Let Me Go” is one of the many artworks by artist Mel Auberty that will be on display at the Year of the Horse exhibition at Gallery 123.
Courtesy of Gallery One Two Thre
Dallas equine artist Mel Auberty was born during the Year of the Horse, and her Chinese zodiac has inspired a lifetime of work, filled with her signature big, bold blue horse paintings. She also founded the Blue Horse Sanctuary, which provides care for unwanted and abused horses and donkeys and is located south of Dallas-Fort Worth.
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“I was born in the Year of the Horse, which returns only once every 12 years, so this moment feels especially personal to me,” Auberty says. “This is a Fire Horse year, associated with passion, movement, and vitality.”
“Whirlwind” is one of the many artworks by artist Mel Auberty that will be on display at the Year of the Horse exhibition at Gallery 123.
Courtesy of Gallery One Two Thre
The exhibition features new blue horse paintings, portraits, woodcut prints, drawings and bronze sculptures. There will also be a video installation showcasing Auberty’s lifetime of work, focusing on the strength, majesty and sensitivity of horses.
“My hope is that my work carries that spirit — honoring the power and grace of horses, and inviting people to share in a deeper awareness and support of equine welfare,” said Auberty. “Bringing an artistic expression of the natural world into an urban environment like Dallas feels fitting, and a reminder that the fire element can exist within the majesty and sensitivity of horses — and that there is much we can learn from them.”
“Tiberius” is one of the many artworks by artist Mel Auberty that will be on display at the Year of the Horse exhibition at Gallery 123.
Courtesy of Gallery One Two Thre
Details: The exhibition is on display through May 17 at Gallery 123, 123 Payne St., Dallas. Free.