Horse Racing and Art Come Together in Surprising Ways
This year saw some remarkable connections between horse racing and art when artist Makoto Kishimoto created portraits for all horses running in this year's Japan Derby, resulting in an inspiring collaboration between these two worlds!
Jan. 31, 2023 2:50PM
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A painting depicting a racehorse mid-stride against a vibrant background featuring colors inspired by Japanese culture
This year has seen some remarkable connections between horse racing and art. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) publication “Paddock” featured a special article written by a horse racing enthusiast. Sapporo Black Label Yumamaki Memorial Can, which is an annual event, was held for the second consecutive year. A collaboration with Weekly GALOP magazine saw the cover of their Yumamaki Memorial issue feature artwork from a horse racing fan. Most notably, all horses running in the historic Japan Derby were featured in a unique horse racing and art project. Being able to be part of such an iconic event was undoubtedly one of the greatest moments of anyone’s life. The project began when artist Makoto Kishimoto decided to combine his two passions - art and horse racing - into one project that would bring joy to both fans of the sport and admirers of his work alike. He reached out to JRA asking if he could paint portraits of all horses running in this year’s Japan Derby, and they happily agreed. Kishimoto then set about creating over 30 individual pieces that depicted each runner in vivid detail using acrylic paints on canvas boards measuring 20x30cm each. The results were nothing short of spectacular; every piece was bursting with colour, capturing each runner’s personality perfectly while also highlighting their individual beauty as well as their power and grace on the track. The collection was met with great enthusiasm from both sides; JRA loved it so much that they asked Kishimoto to write an article for Paddock magazine detailing his creative process while also giving readers insight into what it takes to create such works of art. Kishimoto’s passion for both art and horse racing is truly inspiring, and this project has proven just how powerful these two disciplines can be when combined together properly. It is sure to be remembered as one of the most unique collaborations between these two worlds ever seen, and will hopefully pave the way for more exciting projects like this in years to come!