SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) is pleased to collaborate with eight talented local artists to host a series of exhibitions “Art • Creation • New Ambience” in support of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021”. To mark the start of this four-month art spectacular, an opening ceremony was held at Grand Lisboa Hotel on 21 July 2021, officiated by Advisor of the Office of Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government Ms. Lo Hou Chi, Deputy Director General of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR Mr. Zuo Xianghua, Vice Consul of Education and Cultural Affairs of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong Dr. Joaquim Coelho Ramos, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau Ms. Mok Ian Ian, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Managing Director of SJM Resorts, S.A. Ms. Angela Leong, Director Mr. Arnaldo Ho, Secretary-General Dr. Rui Cunha, as well as six commissioned artists: Mr. Carlos Marreiros, Mr. Ung Vai Meng, Mr. Konstantin Bessmertny, Mr. Denis Murrell, Mr. Eric Fok and Mr. Cai Guo Jie.
Showcasing Macau’s vibrant art scene and cultural heritage, SJM’s art event comprises two themed exhibitions: Harmony of East and West – The Exhibition by Famous Local Artists and Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau, which will be held from 21 July to 31 October at Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau and the soon-to-open Grand Lisboa Palace Resorts Macau, respectively. The exhibition Harmony of East and West is bringing to the audience extraordinary artworks of seven established local artists: Dr. Ambrose So, Mr. Carlos Marreiros, Mr. Ung Vai Meng, Mr. Konstantin Bessmertny, Mr. Denis Murrell, Mr. Eric Fok and Mr. Cai Guo Jie, including their creations, themed around East-meets-West, specially commissioned for Grand Lisboa Palace Resort. The seven artists will gather at Grand Lisboa on 28 July to introduce their artworks and the creative concepts behind. The other exhibition Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition by Heidi Lau will showcase a series of ceramic sculptures and installations by local artist Ms. Heidi Lau. SJM will also organise a number of art seminars and workshops by local artists and curators during September and October.
Ms. Daisy Ho, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, said, “We are honoured to collaborate with the local art community in support of this year’s Art Macao event. SJM is proud of Macau’s rich cultural heritage, and is committed to its preservation and promotion. Through our exhibitions at Grand Lisboa Hotel and Grand Lisboa Palace Resort, we aim to inspire more people to appreciate the efforts of our local artists and to join forces for the continuing development of Macau’s arts and creative business.”
Ms. Angela Leong, Managing Director of SJM, said, “As a local brand firmly rooted in Macau, SJM is proactive in supporting diversified arts and cultural events in the city, and attaches great importance to the nurturing of talents. We will continue with our efforts in encouraging the development of creative industries, further enhancing Macau’s position as a ‘world heritage city’.”
Harmony of East and West – The Exhibition by Famous Local Artists
21 July – 31 August, Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau
1 – 31 October, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau
The exhibition comprises the artworks of seven local artists: Dr. Ambrose So, Mr. Carlos Marreiros, Mr. Ung Vai Meng, Mr. Konstantin Bessmertny, Mr. Denis Murrell, Mr. Eric Fok and Mr. Cai Guo Jie, including the art pieces specially commissioned for Grand Lisboa Palace Resort. Celebrating Macau’s East-West cultural heritage, the latter exhibits will be displayed at Grand Lisboa Palace. Colourful and vibrant, the artworks were created using a wide array of artistic media, including calligraphy and ceramic bricks, oil paintings, acrylic mixed media, technical pen drawings, Portuguese azulejos, watercolours adapted to tapestry, as well as metal engravings and installation art.
Empire Recast — Solo Exhibition by Heidi Lau
1 – 30 September, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau
1 September – 31 October, Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau
Heidi Lau’s ceramic works, a reflection of her hometown Macau, are a contemporary take on an historical art form. Deconstructed and rebuilt by hand, her works are both unique in shape and texture. They are reminiscent of shipwreck artifacts, ancient fossils of civilization that have been lost in time. Taoist mythology, folk superstitions, and Macau’s history provide essential source materials for her works. Lau, who currently resides in New York, has showcased her works at many prestigious art institutions around the world, including the 58th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, Venice, the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, the Bronx Museum of Art, New York, the Macau Museum of Art and more.
SJM Art Seminars and Workshops
SJM will host a series of seminars and workshops in September and October to facilitate interaction with local artists, curators and art educators. Participants can also learn how to create their own art pieces. Ms. Lam Sio-man, curator for Heidi Lau’s exhibition, will instruct the first seminar in September entitled: “Heidi Lau Seminar”, introducing Lau’s use of ceramics as her main medium of expression. Also in September, award-winning artist and art educator Ms. Alice Lee will give families an opportunity to experience the joy of pottery creation at the “Heidi Lau Workshop”.
In October, commissioned artists Carlos Marreiros, Cai Guo Jie and Eric Fok will participate in a panel discussion at the “Grand Lisboa Palace Artist Seminar”. Participants of the seminar will be offered a guided tour to view the artworks at the resort. Also in October, Cai Guo Jie – painter, curator and art educator – will host two art sessions, teaching students how to paint at his “Cai Guo Jie Workshop”. Cai will also take the students on a guided tour of the commissioned artworks on display at Grand Lisboa Palace.
Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021
Under the patronage of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture and the Secretariat for Economy and Finance, “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021” is organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office. Government departments, enterprises and artists from all over the world are bringing diverse visual arts experiences under the theme “To Create for Well-being” to Macau. Art Macao is divided into several sections: Main Exhibition, Special Exhibition of Resorts and Hotels, Public Art Exhibition, Creative City Pavilion, Selected Works by Local Artists and Collateral Exhibition. By gathering creative ideas from around the world, Art Macao aims to promote the reputation of Macau as a world heritage city and reshape the humanistic spirit in the post-epidemic era. Art Macao sets the stage for Macau to bridge creativity with the entire world and give visitors an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of art.
