Its fluffy mane stands on end, round eyes hinting at lazy nonchalance, tiny body glowing with the warm luster of handcrafted clay. Meet Ma Biaobiao, a palm-sized figurine that has taken China's younger generation by storm — sparking endless social media posts, long exhibition lines.
Dubbed the "scruffy little horse" by amused netizens, Ma Biaobiao's creation draws inspiration from the galloping horse in Qi Baishi's ink painting Such A Thousand Miles. The renowned artist is celebrated for his depictions of animals. The horse under his brush is vivid, dynamic, and features a flowing mane and tail, as if ready to leap off the paper.
Capturing the spirited charm of the original painting, the designer gave this little horse a playful twist: a fluffy, style-able mane in eight different colors. Anyone who buys the horse becomes its hairstylist, free to shape the mane into double ponytails, buns, braids, or any look they fancy.
Many fans online say that they see themselves in this scraggly steed:"My hair might be a mess, but I'm always charging forward!" Some office workers joke its unruly mane perfectly captures their look on Monday mornings.
Cui Wentao, deputy director of the Shandong Art Museum in Jinan, Shandong province, believes the product's popularity lies not only in capturing the spirit of ink master Qi's original work, but also in hitting an emotional nerve.
"This product makes the image of the horse cuter and its hair fluffier. The long hair can be braided into various shapes, which satisfies consumers' desire for participation, fulfilling both emotional and aesthetic values," Cui says.
He adds that successful cultural creative products often share two traits: "cultural depth" and "the pursuit of personalized expression".