“Wondersome and Peculiar Voyages: The Travelling Dolls” is exploring translinguality*, cultural exchange, migratory experiences, and ethnic identity throughout its 11-day run at the Rui Cunha Foundation (FRC) gallery, with the artworks presented by Marta Stanisława Sala, a Polish artist, and her husband Cheong Kin Man, a visual anthropologist and artist from Macau.
The exhibition, which kicked off last night, sees a mix of both art and anthropology, while presenting years of cooperation between Sala and Cheong. Each of the works were jointly created and mainly comprise textiles as well as written works. A highlight of the showcase is “The Travelling Dolls” series, which was made by the duo, who are based in Lisbon and Berlin, specifically for Macau, with the city serving as its creative foundation.
Highlighting the meaning behind the dolls while addressing yesterday’s attendees, curator Sara Neves said that the Sala and Cheong “are always trying to put a lot of people from different backgrounds, countries and languages together”, noting that the display of works, particularly the travelling dolls, touch on that.
“They are travelling dolls because they come from different backgrounds, but they are also going to other places. In the end, maybe we are all a little bit like travelling dolls. We have different stories from different countries, more or less, and we carry all of those memories”, with one becoming the person that they are because of that.
Neves noted during the event that the showcase is also special as it marks the first time that the duo are presenting an exhibition in Macau solely dedicated to their work.
The works are on display until August 1. One can visit the gallery daily from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays, being closed on Sundays.
The Post spoke with Cheong, Sala and Neves last night, with more insight into the works, along with photos, in an upcoming Page 4.
*Translinguality refers to the state, quality, or capacity of operating across and fluidly mixing multiple languages. - Gemini
Macau visual anthropologist Cheong Kin Man (right) addresses last night’s exhibition opening at Rui Cunha Foundation’s gallery on Avenida da Praia Grande, as his wife, artist Marta Stanisława Sala, (centre) and curator Sara Neves look on. – Photo: Rui Pastorin
