Show-Off 3.0: Three Collectors’ Exhibition is now on at the Taipa Village Art Space, unveiling a treasure trove of art acquired by three renowned collectors whose backgrounds are a study in diversity: Creative Macau founder Lúcia Lemos, publisher Carlos Morais José and architect Rita Machado.
The opening ceremony was held last Thursday, during which the three collectors spoke about why and what they are collecting, and the significance of their habits.
“Each collection in the exhibition reveals aspects of their personality,” João O, curator of the exhibition said, adding that the exhibition presents a selection of works collected over the years, even decades, seeking to address the nature of collecting and to stimulate a visual conversation about cultural possessions by individuals with very specific and highly personal interests.
According to the curator, Lemos has been involved in the promotion of local artists for over two decades. An artist herself, who developed her skills in black-and-white photography and taking videos, her special relationship with images stems from her many years of exposure to the artistic milieu of Portugal’s northern city of Porto. Interestingly, her chosen collection is mainly based on vibrant, colourful paintings by local and foreign artists.
O said that while Morais José’s collection reminds us of a subtle yet complex relationship between a scholar and a viewing stone*, as to the untrained eye a stone is just an indifferent rock, but to an aesthete the so-called scholar’s stone engages in an aesthetic appreciation of the qualities of the shaped rocks, prompting the mind to dwell on other matters that transcend its appearance.
Machado and her partner have been involved in curating and promoting Macau’s cultural scene, so it is natural that their collection is based on their relationships with many local and international artists, some of whom have resulting in lasting friendships, O noted.
The exhibition runs until April 30 every day from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Taipa Village Art Space, with paintings, photography and furniture on display. Sponsored by Cultural Development Fund, admission is free.
* Viewing stones, also known as scholar’s rocks (known in Chinese as “gongshi” – 供石 ), are naturally formed or subtly enhanced stones appreciated for their aesthetic qualities. They are often used as objects of contemplation, meditation, or decoration, particularly in East Asian cultures like China, Japan, and Korea. These stones are valued for their unique shapes, textures, colors, and the way they evoke natural landscapes, abstract forms, or symbolic meanings. – DeepSeek
This poster provided by Taipa Village Cultural Association last Thursday shows the ongoing Show-Off 3.0: Three Collectors’ Exhibition.
These photos taken last Thursday at the exhibition’s venu at Taipa Village Art Space show some of the exhibitors.
