A solo exhibition entitled “With Ears Perked Up!” by artist Jenny Cheong (張珮婷) is on until August 30 in 10 Fantasia’s Room A02.
Located on Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro (瘋堂斜巷), the exhibition features a collection of oil paintings depicting animals and human portraits.
A recent statement by the gallery noted that the exhibition explores the theme of cats and their “irreplaceable presence” in Cheong’s work. “Animals, especially cats, always awaken in us the purest innocence and simplicity in the city,” the artist said in the statement displayed at the gallery. “Sometimes directly, and sometimes quietly, they occupy an irreplaceable presence in my work.”
Cheong’s works capture the duality of cats, “both wild and gentle”, as they interact with humans. “Cats possess the wildness of nature, yet when interacting with familiar humans, they transform back into beloved companions,” the statement said. The artist aims to portray their “elegant gaze, peaceful demeanour, loyalty, and unique aura” through her paintings, according to the statement.
Moreover, highlighting Cheong’s background, the statement said that the artist graduated from Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) with a focus on visual arts education, specialising in Oil Painting, Animal Portraiture, and Human Figures. Cheong, the statement added, has been involved in various artistic endeavours, including comics, watercolour, sketching, music, ceramics, and puppet theatre.
The free-admission exhibition is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except Mondays. For more details, exhibitiongoers can visit 10 Fantasia’s website and Facebook page.
– Photos: Kristina Vallesteros, Rui Pastorin
