A total of 250 works of different media are being showcased on the fourth floor of Sands Macao in Nape for “Art of Prosperity: An Invitational Exhibition of Macao Artists”, which is on until next Thursday.
The free-admission exhibition, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, is presented by a preparatory committee which comprises the Macau Artist Society and the Associação dos Calígrafos e Pintores Chineses Yu Un de Macau (澳門頤園書畫會) and is co-organised by integrated resort (IR) operator Sands China under the guidance of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR, according to a recent statement by the company.
Among the 250 works on display, 230 were created by invited local artists while 20 were made by guest artists from Hong Kong, the statement noted, all of which were created using a raft of different techniques. Those visiting the exhibition will find works created through various forms of paintings such as Chinese painting, oils, watercolours, acrylics, pastels, mineral colour painting, and gouache* paintings, along with calligraphy, seal carving, marker drawing, digital drawing, printmaking, sculpture and clay art, among many others.
The exhibition is presented to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland, and it is also a “gesture of well wishes” from the local art community to the motherland and Macau, according to information displayed at the venue.
A statement displayed at the exhibition venue also quotes Sands China Executive Vice Chairman Wilfred Wong Ying-wai as saying that 2024 is a significant historic moment with the dual celebrations. He also noted that this year also marks Sands Macao’s 20th anniversary.
“Following the establishment of Sands Macao, we have had the privilege to witness and contribute to the flourishing development of this extraordinary city after its return to the motherland. Therefore, hosting this art exhibition in celebration of the dual milestones at Sands Macao is particularly meaningful: it not only signifies our commitment to supporting Macau’s appropriate economic development, but also underscores our dedication to its cultural enrichment”, according to Wong.
*According to Wikipedia, gouache body colour, or opaque watercolour is a water-medium paint consisting of natural pigment, water, a binding agent (usually gum arabic or dextrin), and sometimes additional inert material. Gouache is designed to be opaque. Gouache has a long history, having been used for at least twelve centuries. It is used most consistently by commercial artists for posters, illustrations, comics, and other design work.
– Photos: Rui Pastorin
