Exhibition aims to bring foreign and local artworks together

Martí Sánchez-Fibla (left) and Christine Hong Barbosa

The exhibition “Barcelona x Macao Art of Illustration Exhibition” is showcasing 20 artworks from Macau and Spain – including artworks by 10 local artists – at Rui Cunha Foundation until October 29.

Organized by Yunyi Arts & Cultural Communications Association, the exhibition aims to create a network of new and established artists on a platform that allows them to exchange information on new art developments.

Speaking to the press, director of Yunyi Arts & Cultural Communications Association Christine Hong Barbosa stressed that the group has always focused on promoting local and international artists alike, in order to encourage the sharing of ideas between different cultures.

“My angle is [to] always try to look for general cities that have a strong cultural influence, [which] will reflect in some of the artists’ work,” said Barbosa, explaining why the association has chosen to work with Spanish artists.

Although Barbosa admitted that it remains challenging to find new artists to participate in the event every year, she noted that “there are new artists everywhere” in the city.

For next year’s edition, the association director revealed that there are plans to hold the exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden, to bring the local art scene to the European city.
“One of my main goals is to bring local artists’ work to different corners of the world,” said Barbosa.

“Whenever you are in other countries, then people will start to look at where Macau is and [be aware] of local artists and their styles and inspirations.”

The director added that through these kinds of exhibitions, art enthusiasts from around the globe will be more aware of local talent.

Although there are still no concrete plans for next year, Barbosa hoped that the association will be able to conduct dialogues with Swedish artists and exhibition venues in Stockholm for Macau artists to develop their networks.

“There [are] plenty of good artists in Macau,” she said. “Their works are worth exhibiting. It’s an opportunity for these artists to come out and showcase their pieces.”

Carlos Sena Caires

Meanwhile, locally-based professor and researcher at the University of Saint Joseph, Carlos Sena Caires, is displaying two of his illustrations in the exhibition – his first participation in a local exhibition.

With the current technology available to artists, including digital drawing tablets, Caires noted that artists’ creativity has expanded.

“With this technology, you can erase, withdraw and delete and change the colors and background, everything.  The most difficult part is to decide when it’s done,” he said.

Caires further added that exhibitions such as “Barcelona x Macao Art of Illustration Exhibition” are significant to the growth of the local art scene, as they create a platform for local and foreign artists to exhibit their work.

Curator for the works of the Spanish artists, Martí Sánchez-Fibla, said that the illustrations portray similar styles and techniques complementing each other’s works.

“You can put them together and see similarities [because] there are no rules on producing this exhibition,” he said, adding that some works are done digitally, whilst some are created using traditional ink.