Stunning Mural of Dancer and Horse in Cheltenham

A stunning mural of a dancer and a horse has appeared in Cheltenham. The piece was created by the French artist Margot as part of the 2024 Cheltenham Paint Festival. It’s a piece that reveals an intimate connection between human and horse.

Cheltenham

Cheltenham has a long history with horses and it’s Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the most famous races in the world. The mural in the centre of town reminds people of that connection though it’s meaning is far more intimate.

Human and Horse

Here Margot, a young French artist with connections in Mexico, has tried to portray a much more symbiotic and intimate relationship. “I wanted to show a human-horse relationship based on trust, understanding and reciprocity” she told Inspiring City.

Flowing

That intention is revealed in the flowing nature of the piece. A woman dances around the wall. She is lost in the moment, her movement in synergy with that of the horse. It is a fine and subtle art says the artist. “Horses are masters and you have to know how to listen to them”.

Capoeira

The dance is Capoeira. Her friend Dania providing the inspiration for the images. A capoerista herself, she is a dancer from Argentina who Margot met in Tulum, Mexico. “I am always moved by the history of capoeira” she says. “It brings together dance art, acrobatics and connection with others, an art developed as resistance to oppression. Speaking of resistance to oppression through art, dance, and humanity”

Freedom

The idea of freedom comes across in the piece. It’s a particularly important element for Margot. “We understand that the connection is established when the horse deliberately prefers to be” she says. It comes back to the idea of symbiosis and reciprocity. Something that very much becomes an equal partnership.

The mural from Margot was created as part of the 2024 Cheltenham Paint Festival. It can be found on the Promenade just above Jones Bootmakers. You learn more about Margot here and here. All photos in this piece were courtesy of Hannah Judah and you can see more of her work here.