A free-admission exhibition titled “Shining Art – Gold and Silver Handicraft Exhibition of Hebei and Guizhou Provinces” is being held at Tap Seac Gallery in Praça do Tap Seac until February 23.
A statement from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) displayed at the gallery notes that the exhibition is part of the “Quintessence of Traditional Handicraft Art” series, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Beijing, and it is an important part of the “Spring Festival Celebration”. The statement underlines that the exhibition features more than 160 pieces/sets of gold and silver jewellery and handicrafts. The artwork displayed focuses on both provinces’ unique artisan techniques, with Hebei Province featuring cloisonné* and filigree inlay**, and Guizhou Province highlighting Miao*** silver jewellery craftsmanship, characterised by complex processes and designs that reflect Miao cultural significance.
A statement displayed at the gallery quoted Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man as saying that the exhibition aims to “help Macau citizens deepen their understanding of the traditional culture, intangible cultural heritage items and folk customs of Hebei and Guizhou provinces, while also promoting cultural exchanges and friendship between people of the three regions.”
The gallery statement from the bureau also points out that free admission workshops will be held this weekend to provide locals with a chance to learn more about the two provinces’ artistry in gold and silver.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and guided tours, in both Cantonese and Putonghua, are available during the weekends.
*According to Wikipedia, a cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with coloured material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold
**“Chinese filigree inlay art is a delicate kind of jewellery metalwork, usually of twisted threads made of gold, silver, and copper, soldered together and arranged in artistic motifs with mounted gems. The complicated craft is mainly used for the making of imperial luxury ornaments.” - Source: China Today
*** Wikipedia notes that the word “Miao” is used to designate some ethnic minority groups living in southern and southeast China.
– Photos taken yesterday by Adrian Vallesteros
