Camilo Pessanha and Mask Carlos Marreiros 1986 Acrylic on canvas 122 x 122 cm The Portuguese poet Pessanha is ‘the most famous figure in Portuguese literature in Macao’. Pessanha is often portrayed in the creative paintings of Macanese artist Carlos Marreiros, illustrating Macanese’ pursuit and creation of eastern and western cultural charms.
Organised by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the exhibition Lyric Poetry – Works of Artists in Macao and Portugal from the MAM Collection, will be open to public from 13 July, at the Special Exhibitions Gallery, 3rd floor of the Macao Museum of Art. The exhibition showcases over 90 outstanding works from the MAM collection, from oils, acrylics, and watercolour paintings, to mixed-media paintings, sculptures and installations that fully reflect the creative outcomes of contemporary artists, as well as rich Chinese and Portuguese cultural connotations. The exhibition is open to the general public.
The exhibition features works by 60 artists, including local Chinese and Macanese artists, as well as Portuguese artists who have settled or exhibited in Macao, presenting works by Júlio Pomar, Vieira da Silva, Bartolomeu dos Santos, Luís Demée, Carlos Marreiros, Mio Pang Fei, Kwok Woon, Manuel Cargaleiro, José de Guimarães and other masters. The six themes of the exhibition, ‘View Perspective’, ‘Colour of Macao’, ‘Dialogues of Materials’, ‘Abstract Soul’, ‘Masters’ Ripples’ and ‘On the Journey’, showcase the results of exchange between Macao and Portuguese artists over the past 30 years, involving the audience in a poetic journey of exchange.
Since the 1980s, with the rapid development of Macao’s economy, many Portuguese artists, local Chinese and Macanese artists explored their creative inspiration under the environment rich in Chinese and Portuguese cultures, constantly bringing new thoughts and driving force, and forming one of the important cultural symbols of Macao. Over the years, the Macao Museum of Art has collected modern and contemporary works from award-winning works, donations and acquisitions since the 1980s.
The exhibition Lyric Poetry – Works of Artists in Macao and Portugal from the MAM Collection is one of the events of ‘Art Macao’ and the ‘2nd Encounter in Macao – Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries’. The exhibition is held until 4 November. The Macao Museum of Art, located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admittance after 6:30pm) including public holidays and closed on Mondays. Admission is free. For more information, please visit the MAM’s website at www.MAM.gov.mo. For more information about ‘Art Macao’, please visit the respective webpage at www.artmacao.mo, its official Instagram account ‘artmacao’, ‘IC Art’ page on Facebook and WeChat account ‘ICmacao’.