Macao Foundation
The Macao Foundation aims to promote, develop and undertake research on culture and art, and has always upheld this mission when participating in and promoting the prosperity of local art and culture. As a result, the Foundation has participated in numerous large-scale exhibitions of cultural relics held by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) since its establishment. In promoting artistic exchanges at home and abroad, we have collaborated with our peers to bring Macao citizens a myriad of wonderful exhibitions.
This year, the MAM presents some anticipated exhibitions. One of the highlights in September showcases 96 works from the Palace Museum and the Shanghai Museum collections by Yun Shouping, hailed as one of the ‘Six Masters of the early Qing period’, and his associates. When the Ming dynasty collapsed, society was thrown into turmoil. However, the era nurtured some remarkable artists such as the ‘Four Wangs’ and the ‘Four Monks’ in Chinese art history. Yun Shouping was one of these emerging masters. He believed that a painter’s temperament is connected to the character and mood of their works, and advocated that a painter must comprehend various sceneries including storms, rain and spectacular greenery so that they can ‘master nature at the tip of a brush’.
Yun Shouping’s depictions are refreshing, refined, vivid and gorgeous, regardless of whether they are willows, flowers or birds. In his book Ou Xiang Guan Ji, he notes: ‘On many autumn evenings, Wang Hui and I stood by a pond discussing painting and observing the shadows of Chinese Parasol trees. We praised the actual leaves [as if they were painted], “Wonderful leaves in ink! Wonderful leaves in ink!” We then entertained ourselves by painting while drinking and became so delighted that we appeared drunk.’
Yun Shouping was passionate about painting. Under his influence, the Changzhou School of Painting was recognised as the orthodox school of realism, and, together with Loudong School and Yushan School, became one of the most influential painting schools of the Qing dynasty.
This MAM exhibition offers Macao residents a glimpse of extraordinary cultural and artistic relics while enhancing their appreciation of art. It also allows viewers to better understand the context of traditional Chinese art and culture, and ensures that excellent traditional Chinese heritage continues to be passed on for generations.
The exhibition features the art of Yun Shouping, his disciples and fellow artists. These wonderful artworks present residents and art enthusiasts with a visual feast, and the accompanying symposium will advance academic research on this revered painter from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
Macao Foundation is delighted to be part of this artistic display and looks forward to showcasing its beauty to visitors. We wish the exhibition great success.
Wu Zhiliang
President of the Administrative Council of the Macao Foundation