Members of the public with an appreciation for jewellery and the craftsmanship behind it have a chance to explore works by four female local artists in a 10 Fantasia gallery exhibition jointly titled “Greater Bay Area Arts Exchange Project | Emerging Artists – Handcrafted Jewellery Exhibition”, which is on until April 26.
The free-admission showcases works across the gallery rooms A, B, C and D on the first floor, each respectively displaying the work of participating artists Penelope Ng Pui Ian, Tung Yuk (童昱), Lai Weng Ian and Leong Hoi Man (梁凱曼).
Each section offers a different style and theme for exhibitiongoers to explore. Ng’s section features embroidery, particularly taking on plant life and the microscopic world of plants, transforming and re-interpreting them into jewellery through fabrics and beads.
Diǎn cuì (點翠), a style of Chinese art featuring kingfisher feathers; bead weaving; róng huā* (絨花); and wrapped flower techniques, meanwhile, are taking centre stage in Tung’s works at room B. The showcase aims to have the four techniques coexist with contemporary daily life, creating usable and wearable objects, according to a statement from the gallery about her section.
At room C, Lai presents works that weave more storytelling into her craft, taking fragments of memories through forms such as images and collages and turning them into wearable jewellery through metalworking. Elements distinct to Macau, its typhoon symbols, local buses from the past, traces of old Macau are among the elements that visitors to this section will find in each exhibit.
Lastly, Leong’s exhibits, mainly comprise those created through hand-strung beading, a process that she described in a statement in her section as requiring patience and concentration, to create beaded jewellery. Slowing down, she notes, is part of what inspired her for her exhibition and its theme.
With less than a month left in its run, the exhibitions, as highlighted in a statement provided at the gallery, invite young artists from Macau to “breathe new life into traditional crafts”. The exhibition is also aimed at building “a diverse exchange platform for industry professionals and citizens passionate about jewellery design, the statement said, as well as hopes to spark creativity and collaboration opportunities.
The public can view the works at the gallery near Calçada da Igreja de S. Lázaro (瘋堂斜巷) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesdays to Sundays. It is closed on Mondays.
* Róng huā (“velvet flower”) is crafted using natural silk and copper wire as its primary materials. In ancient times, it was commonly used in folk festivals and ceremonial decorations. – Artisan From China website
Photos: Rui Pastorin
