Father Michael Tang, professor of art and art history at LMU, has been capturing the winning moments of the Capital Challenge Horse Show since 1995. Each year, Tang creates a watercolor poster from a photograph of the winning horse and rider to be displayed at the next show. His most recent work, a portrait of 2007 winner Peter Pletcher and his horse As Always, is on display at the 2008 Capital Challenge Horse Show, running Sept. 27 through Oct. 5, in Upper Marlboro, Md.
Tang is known for going beyond the photograph to capture not only the physical aspects, but also the essence of the horse. Tang incorporates traditional elements from the early days of the sport, connecting today’s horse show to its fox-hunting origins.
Tang’s major works have focused primarily on religious-based installations. His most recent watercolors have been featured in an exhibition at the National Catholic Museum of Art and History in New York City.