In Macau, time has seemingly been standing still in the past weeks. The recent outbreak of Covid put the city on hold and kept almost everyone stuck in their homes. But some local artists have been taking advantage of this confinement to dedicate themselves to their creative output.
While most of us have undoubtedly been very frustrated by the recent lockdowns, there are some who do not seem to mind the ‘stand by’ state Macau has been in recently. The outbreak of Covid cases has certainly caused unrest, but some local artists actually see a positive side to the situation.
Creative talents Joe Tang, Tracy Choi, Fortes Pakeong Sequeira, Crystal Chan and Lawrence Lei all agree that this quiet period has provided time and space for them to find inspiration.
“This is a unique historical period, which will naturally be reflected in my future artistic productions,” says author Joe Tang, recounting that despite the confinement, he has been trying to “live every day in a way that makes it meaningful.”
“I am doing my best to remember the complex feelings of this period,” the writer points out.
Joe Tang writes novels, does editorial work and writes for theatre. He has won the Macau Literary Prize and the Macau Novel Prize. His works include novels such as Assassin, The Ecstasy and the essay My Point of View.
The local writer says he “strangely” enjoys these days of isolation.
“Somehow it has given me more time to read, think and write,” he comments. Since the start of the pandemic, he has released Na Rua – Um livro, duas histórias sobre Macau (On the Street – One book, two stories about Macau), together with Catarina Mesquita. In addition, Joe has also finished writing a historical novel, due to be released soon, and is now finishing another science fiction story. “Although both novels are not directly related to the current situation, my feelings during these three years have certainly affected them,” he says.
Tracy Choi, Macau’s award-winning filmmaker, is also using this downtime to work on her craft. She is writing the script for her next film, which, she explains is a feature film about growing up in Macau. The local director wants to start shooting next year.
Like Joe Tang, Tracy also sees use in this period of lockdown. However only in pre-production times. “I can’t do anything else but prepare and modify the script,” she says, noting, “If I were filming, it would be a disaster.
In 2012, her short documentary film I’m Here won the Jury Prize at the Macau International Film and Video Festival and was subsequently screened at several international festivals. Her film Sisterhood won the Macau Audience Choice Award at the 2016 International Film Festival and Awards.
Fortes Pakeong Sequeira is a musician, graphic designer, illustrator and founder of the Sparrow Music Culture brand. The lead singer of Blademark has dedicated his time in lockdown to working as a graphic designer. He says what he’s been doing most is sketching.
“A lot of new ideas keep popping into my head,” he confesses. “This is a good opportunity for me as an artist to experience this extraordinary situation, the moment itself, and feel the momentum, see the world for real, feel and find my soul as well,” he says, stressing, “Of course this is not good, but I think it’s great for giving me the time and opportunity to think about life.”
“There are so many things happening in this world and we can’t control them on our own. For me, this is just one part of the journey, one page of my life,” comments Fortes on the virus that has put Macau on hold.
Crystal Chan’s adjustment to this time of confinement has not been difficult. Even before the government’s policies, she was quite content to spend time at home.
“As a creative person, I stay home quite often, even when there are no lockdowns,” she explains.
It is at home that the local artist paints and makes music. Crystal has even written a song about the current situation, because “making art is always the best thing to do when things seem a bit bleak”.
Crystal was born in Macau and graduated from the fine arts programme at the New York School of Visual Arts. Her painting typically involves shadowy figures and landscapes, evoking emotions that resonate with memories.
Local playwright and writer Lawrence Lei is also not bothered by the lockdowns. For him, this is a period that “definitely helps artists”.
Lei, who teaches at the Drama School of the Macao Conservatory, writes short stories, novels and plays, and is the author of The Eye of God, Project Ragged and The Alluring. He has received the Macao Literary Prize three times, and the Best Short Story Award of the Macao Literary Festival twice.
“Artists need to register in their artworks this pandemic of the century, which reflects human nature,” he says. Artists, he says, should take this moment to “observe and contemplate what is going on in the world”.
