A building abandoned for over ten years has recently completed its renovation to transform it into an art space to place local artists and their works into the limelight.
Macau Art Garden is the city’s first building dedicated to local artistic creation and exhibition with the collaboration of cultural associations.
The Times visited the five-story building which has been transformed into a spacious exhibition area with two exhibition halls situated on the ground and first floor.
The exposition on the ground floor featured various paintings,
picture installations and short media clips of local artists; along with a subtle tone of Peking-like opera.
Some installations were a reflection of the changes in the region over the past two decades, with some black and white photos displaying events.
The artistic creation center emerged from a dilapidated 50-year-old Chinese tenement building, and also features a mini coffee and book corner as well as a gift area where visitors can find artworks and cultural and creative products that are available for purchase.
The products are made by members of various arts societies including Art For All Society, Macao Artist Society, Macau Sky and Earth Ceramic Association and the Macau Sculpture Association.
Meanwhile, the first floor features the “Children’s World of Creativity” classroom and another exhibition hall where solo and joint exhibitions of local artists can be held.
Annie Lio, administrative assistant of the facility told the Times that the classroom serves as a space for art programs such as painting, photography and other art subjects for children and teenagers on some weekends.
Currently the exhibition hall on the first floor features a sculpture exhibition in which the artist tried to narrate the meaning of life by means of an organic form, “using its sensitive artistic nation to bring together the abundant vitality of nature with the foundation of earth.”
According to Lio, such exhibition spaces would largely contribute to the exposure of artists in the region, particularly younger ones who are in need of a space to display their works.
She added that if the association can help them display their works, they could have more opportunities to raise local art awareness.
Lio also highlighted that the center aims to encourage locals to appreciate the region’s own artworks, admitting that residents are still not keen on visiting local exhibitions.
The center also provides 36 creative spaces that are for rent to local artists. According to them, nearly 50 local artists have already set up their studios in the building.
“The holding of various exhibitions allows residents to appreciate high-quality artworks created by local, mainland and foreign artists. Meanwhile, arts lectures, workshops and appreciation sessions are opened to raise public interest in art appreciation and promote exchanges between artists,” wrote the center in its mission statement.
Art Garden believes that the facility would help develop local culture and boost the city’s creativity in a bid to boost the local art industry.
Speaking to TDM, coordinator of Macau Art Garden James Chu, revealed there is a long queue for local artists wishing to showcase their creative works in the exhibition, as there are a total of 300 members in the associations.
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