As we step into a new year, I find myself returning to an animal that has been beside humans for thousands of years—the horse.
The Year of the Horse carries powerful energy. Horses symbolize freedom, movement, strength, and independence. They embody a wild, untamed spirit and a deep trust in instinct. That energy is exactly why I felt so called to photograph them.
These images were taken in the Camargue, in the south of France, where white horses roam freely across wetlands and open plains. They have adapted to this land for centuries, and many believe they are the same horses depicted in ancient cave paintings found throughout France.
I traveled there with my two daughters during a meaningful time in my life. We explored the region in a safari-style vehicle, windows open, dust in the air, insects buzzing, summer heat all around us. The horses moved freely, sometimes coming close, sometimes disappearing into the landscape. Nothing was planned. We simply witnessed.
Art, Horses, and Story
Recently, I was deeply moved listening to an award acceptance speech for Hamnet. Both actress Jessie Buckley and author Maggie O’Farrell spoke about ancient cave paintings in France—horses painted over 30,000 years ago, not at the cave entrance, but deep inside. Those images reminded me that humans have always turned to art to make sense of life, loss, and change.
My visit to the Camargue was a period of deep transition, in my life. Like the early cave painters, I felt drawn inward. The horses, wild, and free became a reflection of something I was rediscovering in myself.
Beyond the Artwork
This collection isn’t just about horses.
It’s about going inward, listening, and remembering who you are beneath everything else.
The short film that accompanies this piece offers glimpses behind the images—the movement, the dust, the quiet moments, and the connection.
As we welcome the new year, I hope these images invite you to go deep within, to honor your own story, and to move forward with courage and authenticity.
May this Year of the Horse carry you toward freedom, trust, and your true self.
Click to View the Video & Collection
Wishing you a peaceful and inspired New Year,
Nancy
