Hello! I’m Judith Chestnut, and I’m thrilled to share my artistic exploration of horses and dance with you. My creative heart beats in rhythm with the powerful grace of horses, and through the captivating influence of Ukiyo-e, I explore the dynamic essence of their movement. Through my equestrian-inspired art, I aim to express the inherent balance between a horse’s strength and elegance, inviting you to join me in discovering this unique relationship.
My fascination with the connection between dance and equitation has been a long-standing passion. In 2015, I presented a paper at the 40th World Congress on Dance Research, titled “Dance and the study of modern equitation,” where I explored the potential for dance principles to inform and enhance equestrian practices. While the concepts intrigued me, I found it challenging to translate them into a tangible form at the time. Later, in 2022, I was invited by the International Dance Council to present at a teleconference on “Nature and Dance,” focusing on “Dancing With Horses.” Though I felt my presentation didn’t fully capture my vision, [I have included a link to the presentation here: https://faliro.section.cid-world.org/teleconferences/] the underlying theme continued to resonate with me.
My artistic path took an unexpected turn when I began teaching myself digital art with Procreate. Experimenting with various styles, I discovered Ukiyo-e, and something clicked. The Ukiyo-e style, introduced to me through an online tutorial, offered a new perspective and a way to bridge my earlier explorations of dance and equitation, allowing me to express these concepts through visual art. It feels like a significant leap, yet Ukiyo-e has become the catalyst for bringing my artistic vision to life.
My background as a member of the International Dance Council has deeply influenced my understanding of movement, and I bring this awareness of rhythm, tempo, and biomechanics to my equestrian art. The fluid lines and dynamic compositions of Ukiyo-e provide a beautiful framework for capturing the energy and grace I see in horses.
This website is where I share my ongoing artistic exploration, inviting you to witness how these seemingly disparate passions – horses, dance, and Ukiyo-e – converge in my work.
My artistic vision is deeply influenced by a desire to offer a counterpoint to some of the prevailing imagery in equestrian sports. There is considerable debate surrounding the welfare of horses in competitions today, with dressage often under scrutiny for the exaggerated postures some horses are compelled to adopt. I believe that historical artistic depictions, particularly heroic portrayals of riders and horses in some European art, have contributed to a skewed perception of equine aesthetics and movement, potentially influencing modern equestrian practices.
In contrast, Ukiyo-e art offers a refreshing perspective. These works often depict horses in more natural, everyday situations, with artists sensitively capturing the nuances of equine emotion. The clarity and uncluttered composition of Ukiyo-e resonate with my own artistic sensibilities and provide a powerful means to portray the horse’s form and spirit authentically. For me, “authentic representation” means moving beyond idealized or exaggerated portrayals to capture the horse’s natural grace, strength, and emotional expressiveness.
Through my art, I hope to encourage a deeper appreciation for the horse as an individual, with its own unique character and presence. My website and blog serve as a space to explore these ideas further, to share my artistic process, and to delve into discussions about the influence of art on our understanding of these magnificent animals. I look forward to examining specific artworks and their impact on equestrian culture in future blog posts.
My journey with horses has been deeply enriched by a special mare named Montana. My early education in dressage, under the guidance of Australia’s first Grand Prix rider, Tina Wommelsdorf, taught me to listen to the subtle language of horses and understand how a rider’s posture influences their movement. Though I owned and cherished two horses for many years, life’s demands led me to step away from riding for a time.
Years later, a return to lessons at a local riding school reconnected me with the equestrian world. It was there I first met Montana. Though it took months before I had the opportunity to ride her, the first time I did, I felt an immediate and profound connection. Riding Montana felt instinctively right, and she inspired me to strive to be the best rider I could be for her.
Montana was bred and initially trained by the school’s farrier, who ensured she had a loving environment while he visited regularly. When he moved interstate, I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase Montana, giving her a forever home. My vision is to one day bring Montana home to my own paddock when she retires from being my riding partner and from her role in teaching others at the school. This dream is a significant part of why I’m creating this website – to share my art and connect with others who appreciate the beauty and grace of horses, and whose support will contribute to providing Montana with the loving retirement she deserves.
On this website, you’ll find a space dedicated to my artistic exploration of horses, dance, and Ukiyo-e. In my blog, I share insights into my creative process, reflections on the themes that inspire my work, and discussions about the intersection of art, equestrian culture, and dance. My artwork includes depictions of both horses and dancers, reflecting my ongoing fascination with movement and form. In addition to my artistic explorations, I will also be sharing some of my papers from the World Congress on Dance Research, offering a deeper look into my academic work on the relationship between dance and equitation. There will be an online gallery to showcase my artwork and eventually a shop for the purchase of custom brushes for Procreate, artwork, and a picture book in the future.
It is a pleasure to share my artistic journey with you, and I encourage you to visit often as new content will be added regularly. Although I have not opened the comments section of the blog, I do welcome inquiries about my work and any suggestions for future articles. Please visit the contact page for details.
Equestrian Art & Movement