02
Danli ma
In this imaginative series, Danli Ma transforms twelve characters from traditional Chinese opera; the figures, originally portrayed as deities and demons, are reinterpreted into animals from the Chinese zodiac. Blending culture and tradition.
Title: Untitled
Artist: Danli Ma
Medium: Digital Painting
Year: 2026
Zi (Rat): Lou A-shu, from the Kunqu Opera "Fifteen Strings of Cash"
Chou (Ox): Niu Mo Wang, from the Peking Opera "The Dragon Palace Uproar"
Yin (Tiger): A tiger, from the Kunqu Opera "The Iron Crown"
Mao (Rabbit): Tu'er Ye and Tu'er Niang, from the Peking Opera "Chang'e Flies to the Moon"
Chen (Dragon): Long Nu, from the Yue Opera "The Letter of the Dragon"
Si (Snake): Bai She and Qing She, from the Sichuan Opera "The Legend of the White Snake"
Wu (Horse): Xing Ri Ma, from the Peking Opera "The Fiery Red Mane Horse"
Wei (Goat): Yang Yanhui, from the Peking Opera "The Fourth Son Visits His Mother", "Yang" sounds like "goat" in Chinese.
Shen (Monkey): Sun Wukong, from the Peking Opera "The Monkey King Uproars in Heaven"
You (Rooster): Mao Ri Ji, from the Peking Opera "The Spider Cave"
Xu (Dog): Xiao Tian Quan, from the Peking Opera "The Precious Lotus Lantern"
Hai (Pig): Zhu Bajie, from the Kunqu Opera "The Golden Leopard"