The Macao Museum of Art under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government has been dedicated to collecting, preserving, displaying and studying Macau art works, with the aim to promote local art to the public, illustrating its developments and the artistic spirit of different eras. Since its introduction to Macau, watercolour has been an important creative medium for local artists. Painters from different times have left us excellent works that have influenced later generations. Contemporary painter Lai Ieng is one of the best influencers, who, with his love for Macau landscapes and passion for painting, has offered the city a rich trove of artworks. This exhibition, Strolling and Feeling: Watercolour Paintings of Lai Ieng, features 32 of his landscape watercolours. By following the artist’s sketching footprints, through his keen observations and subtle brushstrokes, visitors can discover the beauty of Macau’s scenic small alleys as well as the charm of local life.
Lai Ieng is reputed in Macau, as well as in Mainland China and overseas, for his watercolours of portraits and landscapes. He has studied painting under Lok Cheong (1923–2006) and also under Cheong Io Sang and Tam Chi Sang (1920–2007) among others. Apparently he acquired his painting skills in Macau but in fact he benefited from the teachings by Wang Zhaomin (1908–2003), known as “poet of watercolour”, when he was studying with Wong Io Wa, Lio Man Cheong and Lok Hei in Guangzhou back in the 1980s.
Lai developed his art during China’s reform and opening up period, when the country opened to the outside world, enabling Macao’s art lovers to gradually take part in Mainland’s art development trends, see the world in a clearer light and have a better grasp of Chinese traditions, besides forming their own artistic views. In the process Lai has been examining the roles of art in people’s life. When he was sketching and painting by himself he also taught painting, and he and his students would accompany each other in art creation, in spiritual support for one another.
When: March 22–June 16, 2019
Where: Macao Museum of Art, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, Macau
How much: Free admission
For more information, check MAM’s website
