While the past 12 months have presented a lot of challenges, the dramatic changes in our lifestyles have also spawned a number of creative and innovative projects. In our first issue of 2021, we met up with local skateboarder and entrepreneur Jolian Chan, founder and owner of EXIT skateboard shop and the fashion brand of the same name, to talk about his collaboration with artist Konstantin Bessmertny, featuring his paintings on a limited edition range of skateboards and T-shirts. And now, Jolian has continued his collaboration with Macau-based Portuguese photographer (and Macau CLOSER photographer) Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro.
Last month Gonçalo and Jolian unveiled the latest range of art inspired skateboards and T-shirts, featuring three of Gonçalo’s striking black and white images of the city on Chinese brand Maven skateboards.
“It all started at the end of last year taking advantage of what happened with Konstatin and his work. Jolian decided to bet on local artists to promote his work, and also Macau. After some initial conversations, I proposed some pictures and he chose these three, which I agreed with,” explains Gonçalo.
One of the images chosen for the project, entitled My City Collection, features the impressive modern façade of the Grand Lisboa palace rising majestically up from behind the old urban cityscape of low-rise residential buildings on Rua da Nova à Guia. This photo was a finalist in the National Geographic Travel Photography Contest in 2019, and so was an “obvious choice” according to the photographer.


Also featured on the boards and T-shirts is the striking image of a lone man with an umbrella standing in front of the iconic Ruins of St. Pauls.
“This photograph was taken during the worst time of the pandemic in Macau in 2020. It was a rainy day and I went to that place to take some pictures of something I had never seen: the Ruins completely empty. After taking several photos without anyone, an umbrella man approached and also began to take photographs, so I took the opportunity to capture the moment,” explains Gonçalo.
The third photo chosen was also taken during the height of the lockdown last year and shows the single figure of a man with a face mask walking on the Portuguese calcada tiles of Senado Square.
“Another photograph that under normal conditions would be hard to capture, since that place is usually full of people.”
The skateboards and T-shirts are available for purchase at EXIT skateboard shop on Patio do Rochedo, just down from the Portuguese Consulate, but stocks are limited.
“We’re talking about limited editions. Around 60 skateboards were delivered to Macau in total, and about another 60 stayed in Shanghai for sale,” notes Gonçalo. “And for the T-shirts, there are around 30 for each image, which makes about 90. I would say, roughly speaking, that between 100 and 150 skateboards and 150 to 200 T-shirts were produced. There is the possibility of being able to produce a little more if necessary, but not much more.”


Gonçalo has lived and worked as a photographer in Macau for 11 years. He has won a number of awards throughout his career as well has holding exhibitions, both in his own name and collectively. In 2015, he published his first book of photography, Macau 5.0. In April this year he also published another book of photography entitled ZEAL, depicting the life of elderly people living in Macau’s nursing homes in 2020. Being a long-time skateboard enthusiast himself, his current project with EXIT and Maven is right up his alley.
“I’ve always liked skateboarding, surfing, bodyboarding and extreme sports. I played basketball on the street when I was a kid. In my neighborhood there was a halfpipe that everyone used with their skateboards or bikes. And I listened to hip-hop, so yes, this culture is very rooted in my adolescence.”
Overall, Gonçalo is very pleased with the outcome of his latest collaboration.
“I am very proud of the final product. I think it was a fabulous idea that has only brought another dimension to my work. I am really happy.”