Pastels of cats and dogs are covering the walls of the Creative Macau gallery in Nape for local artist Susanne Leong Kin In’s, aka Xiao Xin, latest exhibition “Love and Healing”, which kicked off yesterday.
An artist who finds a sense of love and healing in being with dogs and while painting, Leong told the Post that she wants to use her abilities and what she loves to do to raise more funds towards animal charity.
During yesterday’s opening ceremony for her exhibition, staff members of the gallery noted that Leong grew up wanting to help strays and has been painting animals for charity since 2019, having already finished around 135 works. She has helped raise over 120,000 patacas to date.
Aside from protecting animals, the artist noted to the Post that she hopes to create different channels to raise more donations and funding to support associations that help stray animals, emphasising that these groups do not have many resources. “I hope all stray animals will be able to have a home”, Leong pointed out.
Regarding the paintings on display, Leong highlighted two core sets of works during her remarks. One is a group of pastels where Leong creatively depicts cats saving or helping the world in certain scenarios, i.e., warning against excessive phone use and reminding them to exercise, being good partners in people’s lives. The other set of works sees the artist convey the idea of home through new and different techniques.
Love and healing
Moreover, while introducing her works, the artist shared a cherished moment that took place early on in her art journey, which was when she volunteered to paint a picture of a friend’s dog that had passed away.
Once completed, her friend thanked her for once again bringing her beloved pet back to life through her painting as well as for easing some of her pain about the dog’s passing. Leong further elaborated on the moment in a recent statement by the gallery, where she added: “I was overwhelmed by her emotions and this gave a new meaning to my animal paintings, which is also the strength that keeps me going”. The statement quoted her as saying she hoped to enable everyone viewing her works to feel love and healing.
The free-admission gallery is located on the ground floor of the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM). The exhibition runs until February 5, and those interested may visit it from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Local artist Susanne Leong Kin In’s (Xiao Xin) poses with one of her core set of works displayed at the “Love and Healing” at the Creative Macau gallery in Nape after yesterday’s opening ceremony. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
