Guangcai porcelain, short for the 'weaving gold' polychrome glazed porcelain from Guangzhou, is an overglaze-enamelled porcelain characterised by its vibrant palette and the 'weaving gold and piling jade’ technique – a metaphor for the lavish use of gold paint. The production techniques of Guangcai originated during the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty. The emergence and development of hand-painted enamelled porcelain, one of China's major export porcelains, can be attributed to the trading policy of the Canton system. This policy allowed Western merchants to commission the production of enamelled porcelain in Guangzhou, thereby influencing its development. Meanwhile, export paintings rose to prominence as a genre with the advancement of export commodities, and both mutually referenced and influenced each other in the production process. Export paintings frequently feature the production process and trading scenes of export commodities such as porcelain and tea. The Western painting techniques applied in these export paintings were also introduced into enamelled porcelain, both of which are important evidence for cultural exchange between China and the West. Now, visitors can see these two art forms at Focus: Integration of Art between China and the West in the 18th-19th Centuries, held at the Macao Museum of Art.
Guangcai took root and developed in Macao in the 20th century, evolving into export porcelain combining Lingnan art characteristics and a strong Western influence. In this workshop, Lei Iat Po—hailed as the successor of the craft of Guangcai production—will guide participants in learning the basic skills of overglaze enamelling. Participants will experience the production process of Guangcai, discover the aesthetic appeal of the integration of Chinese and Western artistic techniques, and recognise its important cultural value and social significance.
Instructor
Born in Macao in 1954, Lei Iat Po is hailed as the successor of the craft of Guangcai production. He is dedicated to promoting and passing on the craft listed on Macao’s Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. He is currently the vice president of the Macao Arts and Crafts Association and was recognised as a Macao Arts and Crafts Master (Guangcai). His works have been invited to exhibit at multiple exhibitions, and he has won awards in major competitions. His life experiences and achievements have also been widely reported.
Activities and Registration Information
Date: 08/09/2024（Sunday）
Time: 10: 00-13:00 & 14: 00-17:00 (total 6 hours)
Venue: Art Square (Ground floor of Handover Gifts Museum of Macao)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: Free of Charge
Target participants: Members of Friends of MAM aged 16 or above
Quotas: 20 participants
Registration date: 28/08 - 03/09/2024 (registration starts 10:00, 28/08/2024)
Registration method:
Using Activity Registration System of the Macao One Account (link) ; admission by drawing lots; announcement of admission list on 04/09/2024.
Notes
Notes for application
- ‘Activities for Friends of MAM’ is specially designed for those who have joined‘Friends of MAM’ membership program. To apply for membership, please visit our website. For other inquiries, please call 8791 9814.
- Interested parties can visit the activity application section on the ‘Macau One Account’ mobile app or website for activity information, application, cancellation, application procedures and admission results. They can also check their schedules and receive activity reminders in the section ‘My to-do list’.
- Successful applicants who cannot attend the activity should cancel their place 48 hours before the activity day through the ‘Macao One Account’. Their place will be taken by those on the waiting list. Successful applicants from the waiting list will be notified by text or phone call.
Notes for activity
- The MAM will provide all materials to be used at the workshop.
- After the artworks have been fired, participants will be notified via SMS to collect their artworks at the Art Square.
- Participants can bring handsleeves and aprons according to their personal needs.
- The successful applicants may not be accepted for similar activities in the future if any of the below situations occur:
- Failing to attend the activity without prior cancellation.
- Arriving more than 20 minutes late.
- If typhoon signals No. 8 or above are still hoisted three hours before the event starts, it will be automatically cancelled without further notice.
- The staff will film and photograph the activities for the purpose of event recording and future promotional purposes.
Remarks
- Members participating in the Friends of MAM activities will receive two stamps. Please get the stamps from the reception on the 1st floor of MAM on the day of the activity. By participating in MAM events, members can collect stamps on their Stamp Collecting Card and redeem them for different gifts.
- For the latest updates, please visit the website of MAM. MAM reserves the right to the final decision.