Sands China announces three exhibitions for Art Macao 2023

In support of the upcoming Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023, Sands China Ltd. is presenting an impressive array of exhibitions and artworks from August to October, aimed at enriching the cultural experiences of Macao residents and visitors:

• Meet the Magic: In celebration of Disney 100 by Philip Colbert & Jason Naylor;
• Behind the Forms: Aesthetics of Contemporary Art – Trio Exhibition by Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou and Lai Sio Kit; and
• The Genesis of Rationality, featuring Ung Vai Meng.

Meet the Magic: In celebration of Disney 100 by Philip Colbert & Jason Naylor

• Exhibition period: Aug. 3-Oct. 15
• Venues: The Venetian^® Macao, The Londoner^® Macao and Le Jardin

In this exhibition, British contemporary pop artist Philip Colbert and American graffiti artist Jason Naylor each present their unique artistic interpretations of Mickey Mouse, in celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary. Colbert uses his mastery of pop art to revolutionise centuries of legend into his iconic larger-than-life lobster character, while Naylor is known for employing a kaleidoscope of street art colours to transform giant installations.

Co-organised with Forward Fashion Holdings, and curated by ASCE and ARTOX GROUP, this grand showcase of large-scale artworks expresses the two artists’ boundless creativity, conveys a message of positivity, explores timeless classics from a fresh perspective, and infuses contemporary hues into traditional art forms. Their outdoor art installations, each over 5 metres tall, will be on display at Le Jardin and The Venetian Macao’s lagoon area, seamlessly merging innovation with classic style. In addition, their vibrant indoor artworks will transform The Venetian Macao’s hotel lobby into a lively pop art paradise this summer. On Level 2 of The Londoner Macao, the brand new ASCE Diverse and Explorative Art Hub will showcase Disney’s commemorative products launching in Macao for the first time; the space will also present Philip Colbert and Jason Naylor’s new original works, providing a unique opportunity to enjoy the world of art. Besides making their presence at the exhibition’s opening ceremony, the two artists will share their insights with young local artists at a “Meet and Greet” art sharing session.

Behind the Forms: Aesthetics of Contemporary Art – Trio Exhibition by Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou and Lai Sio Kit

• Exhibition period: Aug. 9-Oct. 15
• Venue: Sands Gallery

In line with the theme of this year’s Art Macao, “The Statistics of Fortune,” this exhibition demonstrates three local young artists’ own understanding of various topics around the development of the city’s diversification – spectrum, data texture, belief and value.

To this end, Lei Ieng Wai has used ‘Light’ as a theme to demonstrate virtual spectrums on canvases filled with gorgeous colours and frequencies, Leong Chi Mou has visualised how people endow real value onto circulating currency through his ‘Alchemist Project’ series, and Lai Sio Kit has presented his works meticulously by telling stories of a city through distressed tiles with the theme of ‘Time.’ The exhibition was co-organised by the Macau Artist Society, curated by Leong Kit Man and coordinated by the Macau Youth Art Association.

The Genesis of Rationality, featuring Ung Vai Meng

• Exhibition period: July 28-Oct. 29
• Venue: • ART SPACE, Macao Cultural Centre

As part of the Invitational Exhibition by Local Artists initiated by the Cultural Affairs Bureau for Art Macao 2023, Sands China has commissioned local artist Ung Vai Meng to create The Genesis of Rationality, a mixed-media installation with screens and antique wood he collected specifically for the exhibit, with reference to ancient Greek mythology. With this work, he expresses his notions about the rapid pace of technological progress driven by artificial intelligence, examining how the innate nature of humanity, the intuitive sensations of the body and mind, and the connection with the natural world are all buried, paralysed, and dismembered by the rationalised numerical technology that has overtaken us.

Ung is a distinguished guest professor and doctoral mentor at the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.), and previously served as the president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao and the first director of the Macao Museum of Art. In 2022, “YiiMa,” an art group he formed with artist Chan Hin Io, represented the Macao SAR in Italy at the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia.