Giving carte blanche to French and Chinese artists and bringing people together in the name of culture, the exhibition “Biennial of the Lions” features 50 distinctive lion sculptures to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France.
As one of the highlights of the annual arts festival “Le French May”, this public art initiative explores how the differences and similarities of two different cultures can be expressed through these impressive lion artworks.
The exhibition is organised by the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.
After its first successful exhibitions in Lyon, France in 2004, followed by Italy, Canada and Algeria, the Biennial of the Lions will be hosted by Macau for the first time on this the 10th anniversary of the exhibition. The statues are to be displayed in the MGM Art Space and around the streets of the city from June until October.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote all forms of art and make them accessible to the public, MGM Macau as a sponsor, aims to foster artistic cultural ties by commissioning works of art that are exhibited in ways that link artists, artworks and the general public in a grand spectacle.
Using lions, the emblem of Lyon, as the symbol of this exchange, this exhibition is curated to showcase colourful, unique pieces by artists who have been commissioned to use the sculptures as a blank canvas and have been given total freedom to create without boundaries.
A total of 50 French and Chinese artists from different artistic disciplines, such as sculpture, painting, visual arts, textile, writing and fashion design, have been challenged to apply their talents to the lion sculptures.
In Europe, the lion symbolises strength, while in China it represents prosperity and protection. Made from resin and all with identical poses, the finished pieces will be artistic and cultural statements from these artists of very different backgrounds and influences.
