MAF invites handicapped artist to create travel souvenirs

Leong Ieng Wai

The Macao Arts Festival (MAF) has invited artist Leong Ieng Wai to create souvenirs that combine the region’s characteristic landscapes and travel features, in the process showcasing the talent and potential of disabled people and revealing a form of art without borders.
The MAF will launch two souvenirs: a luggage belt and a multi-purpose travel bag, both designed by Leong Ieng Wai, who is a disabled and autistic member of the FuHong Society of Macau. The luggage belt’s themes include some of the festival venues, such as the Dom Pedro V Theatre, the Macau Cultural Centre, St. Dominic’s Church and the Tap Seac Gallery, among others. Meanwhile, the multi-­purpose travel bag is inspired by the landscapes of Macau’s old neighborhoods. Leong Ieng Wai figuratively recreated, with masterful brushstrokes, the buildings surrounding Macau’s old streets, thereby presenting them in a vivid and three-dimensional manner. Both souvenirs include the logos of the MAF and FuHong Society of Macau. Through the promotion of these travel items, MAF (which is to be run by the Cultural Affairs Bureau in May) hopes, on the one hand, to take the festival and the works of local artists abroad, promoting and showcasing the territory’s cultural characteristics beyond Macau’s borders; and, on the other, to show the potential and talent of disabled residents through this cooperation with the FuHong Society.
Leong Ieng Wai is also known as 0.38, which refers to the thickness of the pen he likes to use in his meticulous strokes and clear compositions. According to the information released by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, he has a strong descriptive ability and sense of spatial planning, skillfully outlining patterns and being particularly fond of drawing small people, buildings and vehicles. Leong dedicates himself to each of his works, using art to find himself and to become more energetic and confident, making an effort to communicate with others and mustering the courage to express what lies in his soul. In August last year, Leong Ieng Wai held an exhibition at the passenger terminal of Macau International Airport titled “Enter the Happy Kingdom of 0.38”. The exhibition was very well received, giving rise to another exhibition, which was held at the UNESCO Centre of Macau in November and showcased more than 40 of his works.
The souvenirs described above are available for sale at MAF venues, namely at the Macau Cultural Centre, Dom Pedro V Theatre and the Old Court Building. Discounts will be offered for the purchase of both items.