In echoing the theme of Art Macao 2023, “The Statistics of Fortune,” Sands China has adopted a unique approach to exhibiting during a year defined by ‘restart’ and ‘hope.’ “Meet the Magic: In celebration of Disney 100 by Philip Colbert and Jason Naylor” is an exhibition featuring two renowned artists who have brought with them bursts of bright colors that represent the creation of hope and happiness, generating an exuberant atmosphere and cultural vitality for the community – tourists and residents alike.
“We’d like to use this opportunity to restart,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd. “Colbert’s Mickey Lobster and Naylor’s OPN HEART and TECHNICOLOR Mickey installations serve as goodwill ambassadors that welcome guests visiting our resorts with crisp, magnificent colours and styles – greeting residents and visitors and showing Macao’s friendliness.”
He added: “The ‘Statistics of Fortune’ theme is thought-provoking; Disney is a century-old classic deeply rooted in the hearts of the people – something that was by no means predictable by big data. This inspired the exhibition team to look to Disney for inspiration when curating this special exhibition.”
Free to the public, the Meet the Magic exhibition features British contemporary pop artist Philip Colbert and American graffiti artist Jason Naylor each presenting their unique artistic interpretations of Mickey, in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary.
Philip Colbert is an artist who uses his mastery of pop art to revolutionize centuries of legends into his iconic larger-than-life lobster character, while Jason Naylor is known for employing a kaleidoscope of street-art colours to transform giant installations.
For this exhibition, their outdoor installations, each over 5 metres, are on display at Le Jardin and The Venetian Macao’s lagoon area, where they seamlessly merge innovation with a classic style. In addition, their vibrant indoor artworks have transformed The Venetian Macao’s hotel lobby into a lively pop art showcase for this summer.
Co-organised with Forward Fashion Holdings, Meet the Magic’s grand display of large-scale artworks expresses Colbert’s and Naylor’s boundless creativity, conveys a message of positivity, explores timeless classics from a fresh perspective, and infuses contemporary hues into traditional art forms.
As an extended venue for the exhibition, The Londoner Macao is featuring the brand new ASCE Diverse and Explorative Art Hub on Level 2, showcasing Disney’s commemorative products launching in Macao for the first time; the space also presents Colbert’s and Naylor’s new original works, providing a unique opportunity for all to enjoy the world of art.
“We’d like to show the world how culturally diverse Macau is and that we embrace all art forms. […] It’s more than simply expanding the non-gaming aspect of our business. We are contributing to creating a more colorful spectrum of life in Macau,” said Dr. Wong.
“I think residents and tourists can expect a more vibrant Macau in the coming year,” he added.
Philip Colbert
The influential artists of “Meet the Magic”
Philip Colbert is a British contemporary artist who has gained a global following for his cartoon lobster persona and his masterful hyper pop history paintings, earning him the moniker the “godson of Andy Warhol.”
His work has received widespread acclaim in museums and galleries worldwide for his energetic new approach to painting and pop art theory.
“My goal is to make people feel good, to spread kindness and love. If they feel good, they’ll pass that on; it’s a ripple effect,” he said when commenting on his artworks.
Jason Naylor
“Collaborating with Disney is really an interesting concept […]. I am very excited to be part of the Meet the Magic show organized by Sands China, part of Art Macao 2023 […],” said Colbert.
Jason Naylor is an internationally renowned and award-winning American graffiti artist, designer, and creative director based in New York City. His work consists of bright colours and rich blacks, and regularly contains messages of love and positivity, as he believes that kindness is the key to success.
Naylor said: “The emotions that matter to me are the positive ones. I want to spread positive vibes, optimism, love, and kindness, and I do it using bright colours. Bright colours actually help people to feel good […] I want what you feel to be something positive.”
He added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to bring my OPN Heart to the vibrant city of Macau. […] The culture in this dynamic city with history is incredibly unique and rich with great inspiration. I’m just genuinely grateful to be a part of this artistic celebration.”
