Culture and commerce, spiritual and mundane, the Silk Road animals are emblems for all.

On display at the previous Hong Kong exhibition were a polychrome painted horse and its tamer, both unearthed in the central Chinese city of Luoyang, a bustling commercial center and destination for endless streams of caravans during the Tang era.

Despite being lavishly harnessed, the horse shows no sign of obedience. This has resulted in all the tension and drama between the steed and the man, who, with legs wide apart, arms outstretched and veins on the wrists swelling up, tries desperately to rein in the muscular animal.

Ge says: "Undauntedness: man or animal, that's what they need to measure the length of the Silk Road, with their own steps. And those who did so can never be contained."

zhaoxu@chinadaily.com.cn