GalaxyArt, the non-profit arts space managed by Galaxy Entertainment Group Foundation (“GEG Foundation”), is collaborating with Macau artist, Mr. Yuen Wai-Ip, to present the oil painting exhibition “5 a.m.” at its gallery on Level 1 of The Promenade Shops at the world-class luxury integrated resort Galaxy Macau™ from now until February 5, 2023. Inviting visitors to embark on a colorful visual journey, the exhibition will display a collection of over 40 oil paintings created by Mr. Yuen between the 1990’s and 2020’s, which capture his reflections of his life experiences and also of the society he lives with. Open to both local residents and tourists, the non-profit arts space helps broaden the artistic and cultural horizons of the public, and continues to promote the development of local arts and culture, in tandem with the government’s vision to turn Macau into an integrated travel destination of art, culture and leisure.
Occupying a premium space of approximately 600 square meters on the first floor of Galaxy Macau, GalaxyArt has been hosting sizeable art exhibitions regularly since opening in 2021. On this occasion, GEG Foundation invited Mr. Yuen Wai-Ip, a local artist who shares the Foundation’s beliefs and vision, to create the “5 a.m.” Oil Painting Exhibition at GalaxyArt. The exhibition guides viewers to contemplate humanity and view things from different perspectives, and encourages them to use the artworks to reconnect with themselves in this fast-paced life, to stay grounded and focused, as artists do, and to think critically about things around them. This echoes what the GEG Foundation has been doing over the years: staying committed to its mission and always investing in and giving back to the community based on mindfulness and care for people within the heart of the communities.
Born and raised in Macau, Mr. Yuen has been a gifted painter since childhood, and after studying watercolor painting and sketching, he finally chose oil painting as the medium for his creation. Dedicated to oil painting for many years, he has created a series of artworks embedded with a variety of meanings from different phases of his creative journey. His works mainly tackle both local and universal contemporary issues, and express feelings of pressure caused by social systems, from the demands of living in a city with ever changing streets, to emotional experiences late at night and reflections on life – all these themes create a link between the inner world of the audience and society.
As the title of the exhibition reveals, the artworks capture the artist’s creative journey of transforming his circumstances into art on canvas at 5 a.m., before the first rays of morning light enter his studio. Walking into the exhibition space, viewers are immediately enveloped by a riot of vibrant colors and intense emotions, as if entering the inner world of the artist himself. The exhibits do not stop at the planar world; they extend to include objects and props to engage viewers with an immersive, interactive experience. GalaxyArt is delighted to present this exhibition with Mr. Yuen, whose unique presence can be felt through the design and layout of the space, as well as the monologues and sketches on the walls.
A highlight of the exhibition is Ceremonial Fire, which depicts a nude person sitting in the middle of the painting surrounded by animals from the Chinese zodiac. The striking painting depicts how humans have taken over the natural world, and while animals are able to live in harmony with one another, we seem to be absorbed in our own lives. Ultimately, the painting allows the viewer to make their own interpretation. Another impressive exhibit is Three in One (Self-Portrait), which comprises three self-portraits in different styles, and suggests the process of people striving for perfection to meet others’ expectations by renewing and reinventing themselves. Each painting by the artist has its own unique story, with robust colors and simplistic brushstrokes, eliminating over-the-top techniques but underscoring the significance behind it. With each work representing a certain moment and mood in life, the strong visual impact of the exhibition encourages the audience to engage in self-reflection that may resonate with the stories depicted by the artist.
During the exhibition, GalaxyArt is also offering onsite guided tour services for visitors to better understand the contents of the works. Starting from October, a series of art enlightenment workshops for children, entitled “The Clumsy Artist”, will be launched and made available to the public for free. Through these workshops, children can learn multifaceted ways of appreciating art, gain a good understanding of colors, create artworks with different tools and media and develop artistic creativity in their lives. As usual, GalaxyArt will also provide educational guided tour services for students from local tertiary education institutions, secondary and primary schools, with differentiated content based on the age of the students. There will also be seminars with students from local tertiary education institutions, to share with them insights and experiences relating to organizing and planning art exhibitions in integrated resort.
Meanwhile, the traditional Chinese Northern restaurant Bei Shan Lou and CHA BEI at Galaxy Macau are launching exclusive, limited-edition dishes for the “5 a.m.” exhibition. The signature “little black bird” elements in the artist’s work are the inspiration for these distinctive desserts, serving as a testament to the interconnectivity of creativity in different fields and allowing diners to discover the beauty of art while enjoying these delicacies.
A firm believer that there is unlimited potential in art and culture, GEG Foundation will continue to promote the development of arts and culture in Macau through GalaxyArt, and nurture young people by giving them more chances to broaden their horizons in arts and culture. GalaxyArt will continue to organize a wide range of exhibitions throughout the year. For more information, please visit the official website of GalaxyArt at https://www.gegfoundation.org.mo/GalaxyArt.
