The Amagão Gallery at Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau debuted its first art exhibition on Friday with “COR Lusofonia”, showcasing works by over 50 artists from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs), with art pieces selected from a gallery collection of more than 300 works.
“COR Lusofonia” is Portuguese for “Lusophone Colour”.
According to a recent Artyzen statement, the gallery officially opened on Friday and is managed by Galeria 57 (Macau). The statement says that the gallery’s mission is to promote the Portuguese-speaking world’s arts and culture, and it plans to host quarterly exhibitions and art events with invited guests. The gallery is also open to cooperating with local schools for art events and other educational activities, the statement points out.
The current exhibition is “a celebration of a Sino-Portuguese artistic and creative exchange, bridging China and the Lusophone world”, the statement underlined, as well as “bringing famous and well-established artists, young and emerging ones together, along with Macau-based artists”.
The statement added that famous Portuguese artist Raquel Gralheiro is the opening exhibition’s invited artist, who the statement described as “an artist who challenges viewers with her use of intense, vivid and contrasting colours infused with playfulness”.
The statement quoted the gallery’s managing partners José I. Duarte, Lina Ramadas and Victor Hugo Marreiros as saying: “Our aim is to give visibility and market to the immense variety and creativity of the Lusofonia visual arts”, as well as intending to “keep the door open for other artists and designers, namely from China and especially Macau”.
The statement also quoted Rutger Verschuren, Area Vice President, Macau Operations of Artyzen Hospitality Group and General Manager of Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, as saying: “Macau has always been a bridge between East and West, a charming platform between China and the Lusophone world”, adding that the gallery is a “perfect gateway for all to see the future in Portugal’s colourful past”.
The exhibition is located in the hotel lobby and is open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with free admission. It is closed on Mondays. The opening exhibition will run until May 22 and will be followed by three more exhibitions in June, October, and December, the statement said.
“Lusophone” refers to the world’s Portuguese-speaking countries and communities. Lusitania was an Iberian Roman province located where modern Portugal (south of the Douro river) and part of western Spain (the present autonomous community of Extremadura and a part of the province of Salamanca) lie. It was named after the Lusitani or Lusitanian people, an Indo-European people
“Amagão” is one the various ancient names of Macau, meaning “Bay of the [Goddess] A-Ma”.
