Interview by William Chan
Local artist Leong Kit Man, an assistant professor in the Fine Arts Programme at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), has unveiled her latest large-scale work, Embrace of Love, which was created as a commission for the China National Arts Fund (Young Artistic Creation Talent) Support Programme 2024. The exhibition, now open on the 4th floor of MUST’s Tower R, marks a milestone in Leong’s career as one of only three local artists selected for the national initiative in 2024.
A seasoned artist of gongbi, a traditional Chinese painting technique characterised by meticulous brushwork and layered colouration, Leong is well-known for her fusion of natural imagery and human emotion. An artist featured regularly in the Post*, she mentioned Embrace of Love last year in an exclusive interview where she first conceptualised the project. With the 1999 establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) as its theme, Leong said that the piece juxtaposes vibrant, lifelike depictions of birds nesting in a bodhi tree against a monochrome backdrop of Macau’s evolving skyline.
The manuscript Leong showed me last year displayed in the foreground of Embrace of Love capturing a flock of birds returning to their nests in a bodhi tree adorned with wish-bearing tags, symbolising familial harmony and shared purpose, as well as Macau’s return to the motherland. “Like these birds, we are transient beings in the eyes of ancient trees,” Leong said, adding: “Amid the rush of urban life, coexistence – whether in society or at home – is a rare treasure. Life may be fleeting, but love and moments of connection endure.”
In an interview with the Post last week, Leong gave insights into her long-awaited exhibition and the completion of Embrace of Love (244 cm x 198 cm, mineral pigments, silver foil on paper), a centrepiece years in the making. The newly completed distant backdrop, rendered in stark black-and-white ink washes, traces Macau peninsula’s shoreline, where historic structures stand alongside modern towers. Five bridges, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB), arching across the composition serve as silent witnesses to the city’s post-1999 transformation. “This coastline has been in flux since the [1999] handover. While progress reshapes lifestyles, I’m drawn to relics of time – like the century-old bodhi trees in Coloane’s old quarters. They remain verdant and resilient, quietly observing Macau’s journey,” Leong said.
For over a decade, Leong has honed her signature style, blending symbolic motifs from classical Chinese flower-and-bird painting with contemporary themes. “I merge tangible forms and emotional resonance in my sketches,” she said. “From subject matter to composition, colour, and technique, every element is guided by the philosophy of traditional Chinese art. Whether through intimate studies or grand canvases, my works pulse with reverence for the natural world.”
Curated by her longtime collaborator Julia Lam Tsz Kwan, the exhibition showcases six large-scale flower-and-bird paintings alongside preparatory sketches, colour studies, and a digital animation of Embrace of Love. “Julia deeply understands my artistic journey and style,” Leong remarked. “She curated a precise narrative and ensured the quality of accompanying cultural products.” Leong also expressed gratitude to co-ordinators Xue Yihan and Mina, as well as all of her mentors and other artists who helped organise the event.
China National Arts Fund
Established in 2013 by the central government, the China National Arts Fund (CNAF) is a nonprofit public initiative dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, nurturing talent, and advancing national cultural development. Since expanding eligibility to Hong Kong and Macau in 2020, the fund has become a vital platform for local creators. “CNAF offers tremendous support for artists,” Leong emphasised. “Complemented by the [Macau] Cultural Development Fund’s initiatives, it empowers us to aspire beyond Macau – to share our heritage on global stages.”
The exhibition is open daily until Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., with free admission for all attendees.
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Leong Kit Man presents her artwork at the opening ceremony of her exhibition last Tuesday.
Leong Kit Man poses in front of her artwork “Embracing Love” last week. – All photos provided by Leong
Participants of the opening ceremony pose at the exhibition last Tuesday.
Leong Kit Man poses in front of her artwork “Embracing Love” last week.
