As the New Year approaches, homes are adorned with lanterns and decorations. The character “福” (fortune) on red paper carries our warmest hopes for the year ahead. This year, the Xu Beihong Cultural Arts Centre proudly presents a unique artistic blessing — not the usual “福,” but a novel character ingeniously blending “钱” (money) above and “马” (horse) below, symbolizing “money arrives immediately.” It is both a tribute to traditional Lunar New Year customs and a playful response to the wisdom of modern life.

Mr. Xu Beihong advocated throughout his life “learning from nature, seeking truth.” His galloping horses, spirited as the wind, have long become an iconic symbol in Chinese art. This “Money Arrives Immediately” calligraphy piece is a vivid extension of Xu Beihong’s artistic philosophy today — it brings traditional calligraphy out of the study and, with humor and sincerity, connects with everyone’s life aspirations.

We believe that art belongs not only to halls of reverence but can also grace ordinary days. This piece is not merely a collectible ink treasure but also a New Year’s blessing filled with warmth. May it bring you a year of auspicious joy and abundance, and may Mr. Xu Beihong’s spirit of “ink and brush following the times” take root and blossom in everyone’s life.