The latest work by Macau scholar, architect and artist André Lui Chak Keong is on display in an exhibition entitled “Contemplating Still Life” in the basement of the Portuguese Bookshop until May 11.
Still life, Wikipedia notes, depicts mostly inanimate subject matter, typically commonplace objects which are either natural such as flowers, dead animals and shells, or human-made including books, vases, and jewellery.
The exhibition features a total of six of Lui’s still life paintings and is organised by non-profit art organisation Art For All Society (AFA). In a statement displayed at the exhibition, AFA said that Lui’s exhibition is the final part of its 2023 “View-Non-View” – Artistic Imagery Art Exhibition Series, which is an annual programme.
The paintings on display include a sculpture of a philosopher covered by a plastic bag, a carved golden clock and poker cards, flowers, butterflies, glass cups, ceramic plates, blue Portuguese tiles (azulejos), oysters, ceramic vases, Chinese teacups, a bar table, an ancient map of Macau, and old books, the statement said.
Lui, the statement added, studied architecture and architectural heritage in Portugal and France. He is involved in painting, art installations, photography, and video, as well as regularly participating in collective and individual exhibitions. His artworks are collected by many museums and institutes, the statement said.
Moreover, aside from the paintings, the exhibition also features a 39-minute-14-second film by Albert Chu Iao Ian, entitled “Discover Macau People I – Preserve”, and old furniture installations on loan from Jan Cheang, consisting of chairs, a vase, a tea bowl, and a stone, according to a statement displayed at the exhibition.
The exhibition is open from Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. More information can be found on AFA’s website on www.afamacau.com and its social media pages.
Photos taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
