On the 6th floor of The Grand Suites at Four Seasons, the last 25 years of Macau can be seen through paintings, drawings, digital illustrations, photographs, and a unique collection of postage stamps. Each of the nine exhibiting local artists occupies a corner of Sands Gallery, allowing their works to speak for themselves. “We hope to provide the public with a global view of the city and a glimpse of its future,” says Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China.
The exhibition, co-organized by the Macau Artist Society, features over 120 works as part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the Motherland. The selection of works was made “in a very natural way,” says the exhibition curator, Lam Chi Ian, whose works also adorn the walls of Sands Gallery as one of the exhibition’s artists.
Lam Chi Ian, curator of the exhibition, poses in front of his artworks at “Echoes of a Golden Age”
He explains that the concept holds a special place in the hearts of the artists. Those who were not born in Macau moved to the city at a young age, and many of their works have the city as a backdrop. “Echoes of a Golden Age” ultimately catalogs not only the development of Macau but also of their lives.
As you move from corridor to corridor and from room to room, you embark on a journey through time. The history of Macau is told through various artistic expressions that were born and flourished with the city’s development.
“Over the last 25 years, many artists have sought change, constantly innovating in their art, particularly in terms of expression and theme. As time has passed, themes have become increasingly diverse, as Macau and its environment have provided more sources of inspiration,” explains Lok Hei, president of the Macau Artist Society and one of the exhibiting artists. As an example, he points out that many artworks in the gallery predominantly depict local scenes.
Prominently featured among them are stamps that capture various facets of the world, such as fragments of time full of cultural connotations. Whether exquisitely portraying the century-old splendor of the Taipa Houses or faithfully recording the historic milestone of the inauguration of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, they reflect historical changes in the macro environment through their micro visions and encompass the vicissitudes of the times within their small frames.
Stamps are facilitators of communication, but are also a snapshot of the social and cultural landscapes of a place. As such, only artists of esteemed status are engaged by the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau to design stamps for the city, making the exhibition a must-see, not only for stamp collectors, but for art enthusiasts and novices alike.
Lio Man Cheong presents one of his art pieces during the opening ceremony
Some of the exhibition’s portraits go even further beyond the last 25 years. Lio Man Cheong is one of the artists showcasing the city’s past, highlighting the multiculturalism still evident in the streets of Macau.
“These are portraits of periods I did not experience. However, I use various materials and images to base my creations [on]. The so-called experience does not necessarily have to be something I lived through. Often, the impulse to create something is what inspires me. When depicting themes related to history, it’s essential to maintain the authenticity of the subject and not stray too far from it,” he explains.
Cheong has also participated in several exhibitions outside Macau and says that the feedback is generally “that Macau is very special. People are intrigued by its history. Through my artworks, I can help people better understand the history of Macau, and I feel that I am contributing to promoting the city.”
The canvas of tomorrow
Two visitors appreciate artworks related to the Macau Grand Prix in “Echoes of a Golden Age” Exhibition.
“Echoes of a Golden Age” is also a way to inspire young artists. Before the exhibition’s opening ceremony, several field trips were organized for university students. “When I started to take an interest [in art] around the age of 15, no one talked about art. If you said you were an artist, people thought you were crazy, that something was wrong with you,” recalls Lam Chi Ian.
The vast majority of the nine artists had to learn on their own. When they began, art was not seen as a professional path, but merely a hobby.
Today, after studying here or abroad, many young people choose to work in Macau while continuing their artistic education.
Lok Hei, president of Macau Artist Society
“I just spoke with several artist friends, and we noted that nowadays, young artists have more opportunities and conditions to showcase their works, which represents a significant improvement compared to our generation. In the past, there were no specialized art schools in Macau, and many artists were self-taught. Today, after studying here or abroad, many young people choose to work in Macau while continuing their artistic education. Within the context of the Macau Artist Society, there is a Youth Art Association, whose members are under 45. Many teach in primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. This reflects a significant change in the development of art in Macau,” Lok Hei emphasizes.
“More and more young people are placing greater importance on the cultural and creative industries when they return to Macau,” reinforces Lio Man Cheong. This situation also positively affects these nine artists, according to Lok Hei. “The fact that more and more young people are participating in this sector also pushes the older generation forward.”
