Sands China opens ceramic exhibition to boost art amid city’s robust recovery
Sands China has launched its latest art exhibition at Sands Gallery, the Fang Lijun Ceramic Works Exhibition, with the aim of boosting diversification of art and culture in Macau as the city continues to undergo a robust recovery.
Sands Gallery’s exhibitions form a significant platform for the promotion of extensive exchange and cooperation among local and international art talent.
This one showcases nearly 60 works of art from Fang Lijun, an internationally sought-after artist known as one of the Four Giants of Chinese contemporary art.
The exhibition theme, “Bone of the Bone, Flesh of the Flesh,” is inspired by the story of God creating Eve using one of Adam’s ribs, and examines the idea that bones and flesh are the origin of life, and looks at their connection with the process of creation.
For Sands China, the company hopes the platform can help artists inspire each other in their creations.
“We do [also] have overseas artists participating. But our aim is really to get the top artists or promising young artists. So that’s been our pattern,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd.
“We want more internationally renowned artists. But at the same time, we do not forget about the local artists who need some support. The previous one was one from young artists… So, this pattern will continue, we will probably focus more on contemporary art,” he added.
Grant Chum, chief operating officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., said: “Sands China has held several international ceramic exhibitions featuring innovative artworks at our integrated resorts in recent years, bringing enlivening art experiences to our guests. We are honoured to shine a spotlight again on this ancient Chinese artistic medium – this time featuring Fang Lijun, one of the paramount representative figures of Chinese new art movements. We hope this and other exhibitions will cultivate art appreciation among our visitors, inspire Macao’s artists, and stimulate the local cultural and creative industries.”
The exhibition was curated by veteran curator Luo Yi, who has more than 18 years of experience curating and managing museums in the contemporary art and design industry.
“The ceramic installations in the exhibition are the artist’s inquiry into the millennia-old production tradition of the ceramic medium, whereas the ceramic prints continue the transformation of ceramics created by the artist on the theme of ‘friends,’” the curator remarked.
As an artist, Fang is a pioneer of China’s “Post-1989 New Art Movement,” “Rascal Culture,” and “China Pop.” Over the past decade, he has continuously experimented with different materials, media, visual effects and artistic forms, applying them in projects like ceramic installations, ink paintings, videos and outdoor public artworks. His works have been featured by major international art museums, art foundations, and public exhibitions.
The artist has explained that in making use of a topic to elaborate upon one’s ideas, the method of communication and the dimension of understanding are completely diverted.
“The relationship between the work and the audience is dynamic. The language of this type of ceramic production is new. I look forward to seeing the relationship and reaction developed between the audience and my work,” he said, when commenting on how he wants the audience to view his artworks.
Fang majored in ceramic arts at the Hebei Light Industry College (now known as Tianjin Institute of Light Industry) and began to understand the concepts of ceramics.
In relation to encouraging local artists in the city to continually pursue their passion in art, he remarked: “Different dimensions and different altitudes will grow different plants; different cultural backgrounds will produce different artists.”
Sands Gallery has been dedicated to introducing a greater diversity of art exhibitions to the city and promoting the sustainable development of the local art and cultural industry.
To date, Sands Gallery has already organised six art exhibitions featuring Chinese and international artists.
As a curator, Luo stated that Sands Gallery stands out as it “does not have an empty white space like what typical art galleries do.”
“Exhibiting at Sands Gallery is new for us, and we are very glad to bring contemporary art that goes beyond people’s usual visual experiences to Sands China. We are very grateful for Sands China’s extraordinary artistic foresight and for standing at the forefront to guide the public’s viewing of art,” she added.
Fang Lijun Ceramic Works Exhibition is open for public viewing daily at Sands Gallery with free admission, May 17-June 24, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., on the 6th floor of The Grand Suites at Four Seasons.
