Message
The Macao Museum of Art (MAM) was established in 1999, building on collections inherited from the former Luis de Camões Museum. In the past two decades, while cooperating with museums outside Macao in presenting many wonderful loan exhibitions, MAM has been attaching great importance to the collection and sorting of artworks by local artists. Through purchase, call for works and donations, our collections have become richer and after sorting out and studying the collections, the works will be exhibited in different series.
Besides the well-known Shiwan ceramics series and the valuable historical paintings, artworks by Macao artists from the early modern (1900 – 1949) and modern (1949 – 1985) periods also constitute an indispensable part in the MAM collection. The 20th century witnessed the creation of Macao art trends and its vigorous development, during which Western paintings by local artists attracted considerable attention. In the mid-1980s, the localisation of Western painting progressed and developed soundly, thus shaping foundational features of Macao modern art and ushering in a blossoming period. Since the turn of the millennium, with new generations of artists emerging, Macao has embraced diversity in the art scene.
This time with the people and events of the Macao's art scene as the topic, MAM showcases a total of more than 150 artworks, in chronological order, by local painters or artists who have had a close relationship with Macao. While most of the exhibits are from the MAM's collections, some are on loan as supplements. The exhibition with four sections focuses on oil paintings, presenting also watercolours, sketches and sculptures. Besides the works of art, related documents such as publications and photos are also shown.
By visiting this exhibition, visitors can have an intuitive understanding of Macao’s artistic development of Western paintings from 1900s to mid-1980s. I believe these works will bring the public a great enjoyment in art.
Deland, Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government