Interview by William Chan
Leong Kit Man, a local artist and curator, recently concluded the “Meaning, Intention: Conceptual Art Exhibition” as part of the Master Course “Special Topics in Culture” that she teaches.
The exhibition took place at the MUST Art Gallery in Taipa and featured artworks created by master’s degree students. The Post had the opportunity to discuss with Leong her experience as a curator in an exclusive interview on Monday.
In recent years, Leong curated “Purge One’s Mind”, “The Will at the Edge”, “Behind the Forms: Aesthetics of Contemporary Art” (hereafter “Behind the Forms”) * by Sands and three times “Meaning, Intention: Conceptual Art Exhibition”**. She was also the coordinator of the still ongoing exhibition “GENESIS: Contemporary Installation Art Journey” (hereafter “GENESIS”)*** at GalaxyArt.
As an experienced artist, Leong understands the significance of acknowledging exhibits’ inherent artistic values. She firmly believes that it is her duty as an artist and creator to put her utmost effort into promoting the essential artistic values she curates. She noted, “I see it as my responsibility to disseminate an artist’s aesthetics through research methods to uncover his or her remarkable work while he or she is still present, rather than waiting for them to become part of history.”
In “Behind the Forms,” an exhibition featuring a trio of local artists, Leong, as the curator, believes that the aims of both the artists and the curator should align, even though they have diverse roles within the exhibition. The curator’s responsibility is to elevate the artists’ work to another level, ensuring that it is displayed in the best possible way.
In the case of “Behind the Forms,” Leong employs her own creative approach to describe the meaning behind the forms of each artist. Additionally, she hires interior designers to meticulously plan and lay out the exhibition space and theme, always keeping in mind the intentions of the artists and objectives of the exhibition. “By carefully curating the space and integrating the different works and artists, the exhibition aims to convey a powerful and coherent belief and message to the audience,” she said.
Co-ordinator’s task
In both “Behind the Forms” and “GENESIS,” Leong’s long-term partner and close friend, Lam Tsz Kwan, served as the exhibitions’ respective co-ordinator and curator, but their roles extend far beyond their titles. They both function as artists and art administrators, striving to create the perfect platform for artists to showcase their works. From the filming of promotional videos to the promotion of the exhibition’s main visuals, from the opening ceremony to the extension of promotional activities, multifaced to introduce the artists to the public stage, to promote them and give a lasting impression.
As a co-ordinator, Leong noted that her primary role is to co-ordinate various aspects and act as a sharp eye for the curator, to observe and direct the entire exhibition from a holistic perspective. “Curatorial work extends beyond the simple tasks of naming an exhibition and writing an introductory text. It plays a crucial role in shaping the overall quality and experience of the exhibition. Factors such as the direction, tone and focus are major considerations in curatorial work. The curator’s decisions and expertise in these areas significantly impact the success and impact of the exhibition,” she noted.
“Behind the Forms” is a contemporary art exhibition that explores various concepts such as light, time, and value, visualising them into different artistic forms. According to Leong, in the current proliferation of contemporary art, it is crucial for curators and artists to discern what constitutes genuine art.
Leong expressed her concern that many people mistake “noise” for brilliance. “It is possible to create a piece that is offensive or absurd, attracting the attention of thousands, but such works only generate a media buzz without adding value to the artistic world,” she noted. Drawing from her personal experience as a contemporary artist and her academic background, Leong underlines the essential fusion of ideas and artistic forms as the core of contemporary art. This fusion is a significant factor in determining the quality of artworks.
“A truly impactful contemporary art piece resonates with viewers, leaving a lasting impression from its concept to, equally important, its visual presentation,” Leong pointed out. She hopes that the general public and audience can wholeheartedly engage with the essence of contemporary art. By doing so, they can effectively promote the ideals that local young artists have steadfastly pursued on the outskirts of the art world for many years.
*https://www.macaupostdaily.com/article18857.html
** https://www.macaupostdaily.com/article20963.html
*** https://www.macaupostdaily.com/article20681.html
Leong Kit Man (left) and her long-term partner and close friend Lam Tsz Kwan pose at the “GENESIS” exhibition at GalaxyArt in February. – All photos provided by Leong
Leong poses at her own exhibition “Chui Yun’s Visual Illusions – Exhibition of Works by Leong Kit Man” in 2022.
The interior design of the exhibition “Behind the Forms” at Sands Gallery
