The Masters in Painting – Works of Contemporary Artists exhibition was held at The Venetian Macao’s Naples Ballroom last month. Showcasing 108 exquisite masterpieces from 54 of mainland China and Macao’s renowned contemporary painters, the free-admission exhibition provided both locals and tourists with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to appreciate high-quality art pieces, and served as a platform for cultural exchange. This year’s Masters in Painting marks the third art exhibition in this series at The Venetian Macao, following the success of the past two exhibitions, which attracted visitors from all around the world and received positive reviews from the field of fine arts.
Masters in Painting – Works of Contemporary Artists exhibition is organised by the Institute of Calligraphy and Paintings of CRICH, which is led by the Counselors’ Office of the State Council and has a wealth of successful experiences in organising Chinese painting exhibitions both in mainland China and abroad including Australia, Russia and the UK since 2009, co-organised by Beijing Hong Bao Bo Yi Cultural Development Company Limited and The Venetian Macao, and supported by Department of Culture and Education of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Macau Artist Society.
Prior to the opening ceremony, selected painters from mainland China and Macao, including Zhang Renzhi, Ma Zhensheng, Zhu Licun, Zhang Guang, Yao Mingjing, Ma Xinlin and Li Ying, participated in an artists’ workshop to share their valuable painting skills and techniques as well as practise painting together.
“The Venetian Macao is happy to support this wonderful art exhibition of such cultural importance for third straight year,” said Olaf Gueldner, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sands China Ltd. “It is a unique exhibition that enriches Macao culturally and encourages cultural exchange between mainland China and Macao, giving local artists a platform to showcase their talents to a global audience.”
“The exhibited paintings, to a certain extent, showcase the achievements and current status of the creations of contemporary Chinese artists,” said Ma Zhensheng, President of the Institute of Calligraphy and Paintings of CRICH. “The works reflect the multi-faceted development and artistic characteristics of contemporary Chinese paintings, which combine traditions and modernity, classical style and contemporary fashion, and also Oriental and Western elements, providing the Macao audience with a platform for art appreciation and exchange.”
The Masters in Painting exhibition this year brought together a wonderful collection of contemporary Chinese paintings, from an exclusive list of celebrated contemporary Chinese artists. Participating artists include Ma Zhensheng, who is also the President of the Jiang Zhaohe Art Research Society of the China Artists Association and a qualified first class national level Chinese artist; Pan Gongkai, Vice-Chairman of the China Artists Association and President of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts; Li Xiaoke, a qualified first class national level Chinese artist; and Wu Changjiang, Secretary and Executive Vice President of the CPC branch committee of the China Artists Association. Pan and Li are sons of the late Chinese painting masters Pan Tianshou and Li Keran respectively. Macao artists whose works were also on display at the exhibition include Lai Ieng; Sun Jiangtao; Li Desheng; Liu Fuye; Guan Quanchang; and Pan Jinling.
The exquisite paintings on display at the exhibition mainly portrayed natural scenery, personalities, flowers, and birds, showcasing high-level painting skills in a variety of painting styles. After experiencing a period of evolution, Chinese paintings have now been enriched by traditional cultures and at the same time integrate new elements of Western art forms, constituting a unified yet diversified structure as a whole.