The Hold On To Hope Gallery is currently displaying 38 works of ex libris and small prints by artist Chen Xiao Feng for its 17th exhibition titled “Gems on Paper – The World Beyond Ex Libris”.
According to a recent statement from the gallery, which is located in the Settlement of Our Lady in Ka-Ho, ex libris is a decorative label usually made with small prints, adding that it originated from the Renaissance period in Europe. It is used by book owners and pasted on the front endpaper of their book to indicate his/her feeling about its content, showing his/her reading style or life motto and becoming “a unique mark for readers”, the statement noted.
Ex libris is Latin. Directly translated, it means “from the books”.
The artist uses grey along with “warm and cold” colours to create tones that display “emotions that cover the strength and beauty” in people’s lives, the statement said. With grey being neither white or black, the colour defines ambiguous feelings that words cannot describe, which suits “the illusory emotions in love”.
Chen was born in Guangdong in 1984. She started as a printmaking artist and obtained a master’s degree from the Printmaking Department of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, the statement said.
The statement added that she specialises in ex libris and small prints. She has had her works shown worldwide and has won a number of awards. Her work, according to the statement, is collected by museums such as the National Art Museum of China, Ex Libris Museums in Turkey and Finland, and the Guanlan Art Museum in Shenzhen.
In line with the government’s COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures, visitors to the gallery must wear a facemask, undergo a temperature check, scan the venue QR code and present a valid green Macau Health Code.
The works are on display until November 6. For enquiries such as the gallery’s opening hours, one can call 6660 8870 or email h2hopegallery@gmail.com.
This undated handout photo provided by the Hold On To Hope Gallery shows the artist, Chen Xiaofeng.
These photos taken and provided by the Hold On To Hope Gallery show the exhibition’s opening ceremony, which was held in the gallery in the Settlement of Our Lady in Ka-Ho, Coloane, on Sunday.
