The Art For All (AFA) Autumn Salon 2024, co-organized by Art For All Society and the Orient Foundation, is currently on display at its new home at The Shoppes at Parisian. Traditionally held at the Orient Foundation’s historic mansion The Casa Garden, this year in its new larger venue, Autumn Salon presents over 200 pieces (sets) of selected works more than double the number of previous editions – created by more than one hundred local artists. The impressive collection of works are located across eight thematically distinct galleries on Level 3 of The Parisian Macao.
Now in its fifteenth year, Autumn Salon saw an even more enthusiastic response to its open call for artists this edition. The jury, composed of representatives from Art For All, the Orient Foundation, and Sands China Ltd., meticulously reviewed and selected over 200 works for display. The exhibition boasts a diverse range of media, including oil painting, watercolor, ink painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, 3D modeling, video and installation art.
In addition to the open call, this year’s Autumn Salon features an “Invited Artists List,” which includes renowned Macanese artists such as Lok Hei, Carlos Marreiros, Ung Vai Meng, Victor Marreiros, Chan Hin Io, Leong Lampo, Wilson Lam, Cindy Ng Sio Ieng, Cristina Mio U Kit, Wong Ka Long, Tong Chong, Pakeong, Lai Sio Kit and more.
Autumn Salon also presents two paintings by Mrs. Un Chi Iam, wife of the late master Mr. Mio Pang Fei. Furthermore, a striking two-meter-tall golden bronze statue of Kun Iam by Portuguese sculptor Cristina Rocha Leiria is another highlight of the exhibition. In a special tribute to Macau’s artistic heritage, three paintings by the late artist Kwok Woon are displayed alongside the Kun Iam statue.
As is tradition, the recipient of the Orient Foundation Art Award was announced during the opening ceremony. The winner received a prize package worth MOP50,000 and the opportunity for a one-month residency, exchange, or training program at a private or public art institution in Portugal.
This year’s “Orient Foundation Art Award” winner was Mãe Terra (2024) by Lio Pou I. The Second Prize winner was Fishing Boat (2024) by Tsang Tseng Tseng, and the Third Prize winner was A Piece of Cloth Is So Long (2022) by Ho Ka Io. Honourable Awards went to Kuok Chi Kei’s artwork Time in the Pond (2024) and Lai Ka Weng’s artwork A Nocturnal Walk・3 (2024).
“This year’s event was even bigger than previous ones, so I was surprised to stand out amongst the many experienced contestants. It was a great surprise for me as an up and coming artist, and I am grateful to AFA and all the judges,” says Lio Pou I on being awarded First Prize.
“Mãe Terra, describes my feelings about the earth, nature and life. Mother Earth is regarded as the source of life, we are all nurtured by the earth and are closely related to it, which is my inspiration for this series of works. This work is a symbol of life and nature, and I hope it enables people to better understand their relationship with nature, so that they can be more responsible for the natural environment,” explains the artist, who specialises in ceramics.
Second prize winner Tsang Tseng Tseng is currently a doctoral student at the prestigious China Academy of Art in Hangzhou. Describing her awarded work Fishing Boat she says:
“This work is in a more classical style, as I tried to combine Chinese and Western influences, because Macau is such mix of both cultures. It’s more delicate than my usual painting style, which features mainly ink and brush strokes. The composition is quite unique with the gold fan shape on a purple background. I wanted to present something with a historical feeling, reflecting the beauty of the very scenic area of Praia Grande, which reminds me of West Lake in Hangzhou where I’m doing my studies,” explains Tsang Tseng Tseng. “I was very happy to be awarded the Orient Foundation prize. I really didn’t expect it,” she adds.
Third Prize winner Ho Ka Io stated: “I was very happy and surprised to receive the Orient Foundation Art Prize because there were a lot of great works on display this year. My creative concept is to make use of the interaction and connection between objects and human beings, to take the structure of the human body and the function of the objects themselves, and through sculpture, to reorganise and reproduce the two elements from different angles, and to create interesting and unique works with different combinations. The red and white colours are used to enhance the visual tension of the works,” Ho, a graduate from the National Taiwan University of Arts explains his winning piece A Piece of Cloth Is So Long.
Winner of the 2023 Orient Foundation Art Award Wong Sio Hang, is also presenting a special feature at the Autumn Salon; a new series of works in a solo exhibition entitled Silk Memories filled with poetic and philosophical reflections.
“Art For All Autumn Salon 2024 testifies to the vitality and dynamism of Macau’s art community. It invites all to explore the diverse creative expressions flourishing within Macau’s unique cultural landscape, celebrating the power of art to connect, inspire, and spark dialogue,” says Alice Kok, President of Macau Art For All Society and curator of Autumn Salon 2024.
Art For All Autumn Salon 2024 is located on Level 3, Shoppes at Parisian and is open daily from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm until March 25, 2025.
The exhibition is funded by the Cultural Development Fund of the Macau SAR Government and supported by Sands China Ltd.
