Art | Wu Li’s works showcased in exhibition

The exhibition “Beyond the Scenery: Exhibition Commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Passing of Wu Li” features a total of 84 pieces, and sets of calligraphy and paintings by renowned Qing dynasty painter Wu Li from different times in his life, and works from some of his mentors and friends.

Showcased at the Macao Museum of Art, this is the first large-scale solo exhibition of Wu Li, with early half of the exhibits being presented to the public for the first time.

The album comprises of eight leaves in total, depicting landscapes, figures, horses and carriages, processions and courtyards.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau informed in a statement that the exhibition also features Wu Li’s masterpieces, such as “Collection of the Palace Museum ‘Figures and Stories’,” the fifth leaf of which describes the ancient story of Qu Yuan, a famous poet from the state of Chu during the Warring States Period, composing the poem Li Sao on the riverbank of the Miluo River.

In addition, another piece “Collection of the Shanghai Museum ‘Guqin gathering by the Fengxi River’,” a long scroll painted in moist brushstrokes, is also being showcased.

During the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Wu Li came to Macau with Philippus Couplet (1624-1692), a Belgian Jesuit, to receive religious training at St. Paul’s College, where he occasionally recorded his life in the postscripts of his paintings and the poetry collection Sanba Ji (Poems from St. Paul’s).

The exhibition will be on show until November 11 at the Macao Museum of Art.

Sands launches sponsorship fund for Hato victims

Sands China officially established a Hato Education Sponsorship Fund yesterday, benefitting six children and young adults who lost a parent to Typhoon Hato.

The gaming operator will provide a total of MOP6 million to the beneficiaries, with MOP1 million allocated to each recipient.

The financial assistance covers areas including tuition fees up to tertiary studies, extracurricular activities, school supplies and study materials.

Up to 40 percent of the fund may be used for educational purposes. The fund under this purpose is capped at MOP30,000 per financial year.

The fund will be valid until the beneficiaries reach 30 years of age.

“After understanding the dire situation of children and young adults whose families suffered severe losses, we began developing a plan to help. This education fund will provide crucial support for their studies,” said Sands China Ltd. president Dr. Wilfred Wong.

The new fund was established in cooperation with Fidelidade – Insurance Company Limited (Life), who will pay the educational fees directly to the institutions.

The company has pledged to donate a total of MOP65 million towards typhoon disaster relief in Macau.

Approximately MOP15 million of that has already been presented to the University of Saint Joseph to assist in repairing its storm-damaged campus. Another MOP2 million helped to repair the Macau Holy House of Mercy’s elderly home, which had suffered damage, including major structural damage to its roof.