The watercolours of local artist Chan Iu Pui in the book “Memories of Old Macau: The Story of My Childhood” by Amy Lau Chuen Yim are being showcased in an exhibition in the basement of Livraria Portuguesa (Portuguese Bookshop) in the city centre.
The week-long exhibition, titled after the book, opened on Saturday during the presentation of Lau’s book. The works depict Macau during the 1950s and 1960s, taking exhibition-goers back to the city’s humble beginnings.
“Chan’s watercolour paintings of the ordinary streets of Macau exude the warmth and tranquillity of the neighbourhoods in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as the simple and harmonious small city life”, Lau noted during Saturday’s book presentation.
A Macau Artist Society art consultant, the “About the Artist” section of Lau’s book points out that Chan’s works have been curated in painting exhibitions titled “Scenery of a City – Artworks Exhibition by Chan Iu Pui”. The works, which have garnered acclaim, have also been compiled in the publication “Scenery of a City – Artworks by Chan Iu Pui”, alongside his five postcard collections, titled “Macao Scenery Postcard Collections”.
“Filled with a deep nostalgic love for Macau, he [Chan] has strolled through the streets and alleys across the city and captured the cityscape, encompassing historic gems and quaint architectures” in his artworks, the section underlines.
The Portuguese Bookshop at 16 Rua de São Domingos is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Photos: Rui Pastorin
