Pedro Lemos arrived in Macau four years ago and works as a television producer for TDM Macau. He still hasn’t forgotten his first love, the world of the arts, as he embarks on a special exhibition organized by the Yunyi—Arts and Cultural Communication Association. Showcasing his illustrations portraying the narrative inside the courtroom, Pedro creates a visual story that surpasses creativity but stays within the realm of reality.
Tell us what is your connection with Macau.
I was invited to come here and work for TDM Macau. I am a designer and producer and I try to improve the image of the station. I am handling the new technologies that arrive as well and I have worked with several fantastic people in Macau in the past five years.
Have you always had an inclination for the arts?
I studied in Portugal in a fine arts school. I majored in cinema and before that, in animation. I drew a lot as a child, it was natural for me. In college, however, I improved my skills. It was not only from school but from home that I’ve been inclined to the arts.
So you’re doing illustrations?
For this exhibition, yes! However, in general, I usually go for documentaries, films. motion graphics and draw a lot as well. Christine asked me if I had anything interesting in Macau. The most interesting ones happen to be the sketches from the courtroom. I could do more landscape and stuff but the design element here needs a more efficient way to capture the nature of people. And these illustrations feel more raw and real.
How did you come up with the idea?
Four years ago, I came up with this idea because my colleague told me I drew very well. I got invited to the court so everytime there were cases they asked me to go the courts. These images go to the TV and accumulated in my personal archive as well. This is the first time I am showing it live in this exhibition. It’s an opportunity to show it in public so it’s quite cool.
It’s more important to have a real impact regardless of the medium. In these art pieces, I don’t explain who are the characters I just explain the situation with just a little text and more visuals. It’s a unique thing here in Macau.
How did you end up participating in this project?
I was friends with Christine Hong-Barbosa and I showed her what I had in my art archives and we chose from there.
What are you doing now?
We finished covering the elections. After that, I am doing a documentary about the miracle of Fatima and that has a big impact here in Macau. There was also a big event here and we are at the final editing stage with effects and to improve the visuals. It’s a product that goes beyond TDM. These kinds of pieces they evolve and they take different shapes. They go to Portuguese-speaking industries and Portugal, etc.
Tell me about your life in Macau. What do you do on weekends?
Everyone says, practice sports or drink. That’s the trend in Macau! I am in between that stage [laughs]. I definitely love swimming in public swimming pools. Drinking at The Roadhouse, Cathedral cafe, and I love open-air spaces for post-work drinks.
Where do you take your friends who are newcomers to Macau?
I usually go for a proper Chinese restaurant. I want them to see the difference between Chinese food abroad and here because it’s not the same. I love the cozy restaurant in front of TDM Macau office and I dine there all the time!
BARCELONA X MACAO ART OF ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION
Barcelona X Macao Art of Illustration Exhibition brings together a total of 20 charming illustrators from Macau and Spain. The exhibition will take place in Barcelona Spain and Macau in August and October 2017 respectively.
The illustration is graphical representations of a real or imagined world, including an array of techniques used depict, photography to painting. It is used to convey thoughts, feelings, facts, feelings, and emotions. Its role is to attract attention, persuade, create context, inform, enhance understanding or entertain an audience. The event aims to create a network between a community of established and emerging artists providing them the opportunity to exchange information about new developments in their work field and to promote each other.
At the helm of YunYi Arts and Cultural Communications Association is Christine Hong. She affirms that it has always been YunYi’s main focus to collaborate with an arts organization that is working to promote art and culture in and around Macau. YunYi brings together artists from Macau with international artists from every corner of the globe, in order to promote the intellectual sharing of ideas between all cultures.
When: October 17–29, 2017
Where: Rui Cunha Foundation Gallery, GF 749 Avenida da Praia Grande, Macau
How much: Free admission
For more details, visit www.facebook.com/yunyi.org, www.ruicunha.org
