The illustrations are composed of hands, showing that fragile animals are trapped and wrapped by painted hands.
The Macao Museum of Art (MAM), under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, has launched the “Macao Arts Window” since 2012, which aims to encourage creativity and develop the contemporary arts in Macao. The theme of this edition of the “Macao Arts Window” is the exhibition “Restrained Hugs – Installation by Ella Lei”, which is open from 26 February to 10 April 2016 at the MAM - 3rd floor. The “Macao Arts Window” aims to provide an open and diverse exhibition space and exchange platform and encourage local artists to explore and express the concepts and forms of contemporary art. Ella Lei was born in Macao, and belongs to the post-1980s generation. She graduated from the Design Department, School of Art of the Macao Polytechnic Institute, majoring in Multimedia Design. She has worked as an art and animation designer for four years, while taking a Fashion Design diploma programme. She is currently a freelance designer passionate about illustration and fashion design, hoping to progress by merging both. She is actively participating in exhibitions and fashion events, and is working on her own fashion label “ella épeler”. Ella Lei believes that the society is like a spider web with various rules and systems; people living in this web have their own logic. Subconsciously, we defend our own way and beliefs. This installation is a fusion of hand-shaped sculptures and illustrations composed of hands. In the pictures, fragile animals are formed by painted hands. They are trapped and wrapped up. “Restrained Hugs” is intended to express a sense of sarcasm: the interaction of protection and restriction, and the subtle relationship between humans and animals. The exhibition “Restrained Hugs – Installation by Ella Lei” is open from 26 February to 10 April 2016 at the Macao Museum of Art, located in NAPE, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, and is open from 10am to 7pm (no admittance after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays). Admission is free on Sundays and public holidays. For enquiries, please call the MAM through tel. 8791 9882 during office hours.
