Exploring the street art of Macau
The first ever Guide to Street Art in Macau, by Filipa Simões was launched at the end of May at Ponte 9 – Creative Platform. The publication is the first of its kind in Macau, and provides a unique perspective on the urban landscape of the city, gathering street art works from Macau, Taipa, and Coloane.
The goal of this project was to make the street art culture in the city more tangible, readable, and collectable, and to aid in the consolidation and recognition of urban culture in Macau.
“Street art is a powerful instrument to promote a city’s cultural identity and to activate dilapidated and forgotten urban areas,” says Filipa. “The goal of this book was to highlight and make accessible Macau’s street art, aiding in the consolidation and recognition of urban culture in Macau. It is also an invitation to stroll through the city to discover its hidden treasures and unique stories.”
With street art work collected in 2023, the guide offers a curated selection of ephemeral pieces and alternative itineraries around the city, organised into six hubs: four in Macau and two in Taipa and Coloane.
“Street art is intrinsically linked with the place, often interpreting it and transforming it. It adds a layer to our city, that is already culturally dense and fascinating,” the author comments. “Macau is visited by millions of tourists, but they seldom venture outside the most famous itineraries. Street art can raise awareness about the city’s hidden corners, transforming them into a living canvas of stories.”
The book launch event was attended by the author, Filipa Simões, the project coordinator and President of CURB (Center for Architecture and Urbanism), Nuno Soares, the project photographer, David Lopo, and local street artists ANHZ and FEW, also known as AAFK.
Filipa Simões is a designer and teacher based in Macau since 2004. She is the Supervisor of the Bachelor of Design at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Saint Joseph, where she has been teaching since 2013.
Fascinated with cities, food, books and all things graphic, Filipa develops her creative work across different platforms – as a graphic artist, creative director and teacher. She is the creative director and founder of WHYDESIGN and director of PONTE 9 Creative Platform.
“Writing this book was a journey of discovery of places, artworks and the meaning behind them,” she says. “It was surprising how each photograph revealed to us details of the artworks that were not evident to the naked eye.
“The street art in Macau is as diverse as the city itself and there are several works that resonate with me. I find it inspiring when the artists can achieve a subtle dialogue with the place, such as the artwork featured on the book cover. The set of murals at the Macau-Hong Kong Container Terminal (pier 5A), which were created by female artists during the !Outloud Festival in 2018, is quite memorable, with its large scale and relationship with the port environment.”
The publisher of the book, CURB, is a non-profit institution established in Macau to promote research, education, production and dissemination of knowledge in architecture, urbanism, and urban culture. The Center stands as an exchange platform between academia, civil society, professional practice, and government institutions, serving the interests of the overall community through research studies, workshops, conferences, exhibitions, competitions, and other initiatives.
“Guide to Street Art in Macau” is published by CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism, with the sponsorship of the Cultural Development Fund. It is available for purchase at CURB headquarters in Ponte 9 (R. Lorchas, Ponte No.9 3/F) and in selected bookstores across Macau (Livraria Portuguesa, Júbilo 31 Books, Pin-to Bookstore, Cultural Plaza Bookstore, Universal Gallery and Bookstore).
