Always Near You…Always is the latest exhibition by New York artist Adam Handler. Based around the theme ‘Love Heals’, it features a collection of his artwork specially created for this occasion.
Entering the pure white expanse of Artelli Art Space at City of Dreams, we find ourselves immersed in a kaleidoscope of colours. Adam awaits us, standing in front of a truly mesmerising array of his Ghosts artworks.
Known for his unique Kawaii Faux Naïf style, Adam combines whimsical and therapeutic elements using acrylic paint, oil sticks, pencils and markers to share the childlike perspective of his inner world.
“The inspiration for my Ghost paintings traces back to my 20’s,” Adam shares when we meet him on the day of the opening. “It was a time when I witnessed my grandparents ageing and eventually passing away. I was seeking ways to work through this anxiety by expressing my emotions through art,” he continues.
His experience led him to grapple with intense anxiety about death and loss, particularly the fear of losing loved ones.
“But I wanted to create a very friendly relationship with death, as death is universal, it’s something that everybody has to experience.”
Adam’s artwork revolves around two main symbolic characters, Ghosts and the Wide-eyed Girl, which he describes as “very simple”.
“Despite their simplicity, I explore various forms, colours, and textures, allowing me ample artistic freedom to craft each painting.”
The artist acknowledges that he has always admired figurative painters, and he always likes to make references to body parts, “a nose, a mouth or an eye, and then everything else, and then I create abstract works and forms. I paint what I know, what I feel – it’s a reflection of my home, my life. I don’t seek inspiration from the outside world, but rather from within my own.”
Describing his process as emotionally-driven, Adam admits that he usually has little idea of what he’s going to paint, and instead just allows his emotions to take charge.
“I get whatever colour I feel like using that day, the brighter colours come in the summer months, and in winter months I use more blue.”
Having hosted solo exhibitions in the UK, France, Spain, Canada and South Korea, Adam’s latest exhibition in Macau marks a milestone – a testament to his growth, experimentation, and relentless pursuit of artistic authenticity.
“My hope is that my work resonates deeply with those who encounter it,” he says. “Once my works leave my studio, they embark on a journey of their own, weaving new narratives with each admirer.”
Beyond conventional artworks, this exhibition also introduces large-scale art installations aimed at immersing visitors in a visually captivating experience. Among these, one standout piece is the remarkable sculpture uniting Adam’s iconic characters, Ghost and the Wide-eyed Girl, for the very first time.
“Adam’s work is particularly intriguing due to its whimsical, childlike aesthetic and we are excited about his innovative collaboration with us on this exhibition,” remarks Linwood Lin, Chief Innovation Officer of Forward Fashion Group and Artelli. “Our co-creation has lent a distinctively Macau flavour to the showcase, making our exhibition uniquely Macau’s.”
“At Artelli, our mission is to empower artists to create work that embodies the spirit of the city,” Lin adds, emphasising Artelli’s commitment to serving as a platform that connects international artists with the local art community in Macau.
“We want Artelli to become a museum-like art space for everyone to join without any pressure,” Lin says.
As a Macau-based brand, Artelli is also dedicated to collaborating with homegrown talent across various creative disciplines.
“Through partnerships with local curators, videographers, and writers, Artelli aims to foster community involvement and nurture the growth of artistic professionals within Macau’s burgeoning art scene,” Lin explains. “By doing so, we not only provide an open space for art enthusiasts to gather and interact, but also enrich the local cultural scene through the appreciation and interaction with artworks.”
