Message
This year marks the 100th birthday of Lok Cheong, a renowned Macao artist and a founding member of the ‘Macao Art Research Association’. To celebrate this occasion, the Macao Museum of Art under the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government presents the Centennial Retrospective of Lok Cheong’s Art. It features 100 artworks by Lok Cheong, including oil paintings, watercolours, Chinese paintings and various manuscripts of sketches, showcasing Mr. Lok Cheong’s oeuvre from the 1950s to the year before he passed away. In addition, the exhibition also displays 50 remarkable artworks by his friends.
Lok Cheong was born in Xiangshan county (now known as Zhongshan city) in Guangdong Province. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he was engaged in the anti-Japanese movement to safeguard the country. He worked in set design and created many anti-Japanese propaganda posters. Later, he worked closely with other patriotic peers to evoke a sense of patriotism among the Chinese people through art. He made tremendous contributions to the unity of local Chinese artists. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, he oversaw the construction of ornate archways for National Day in Macao for a long time. He worked as a graphic artist for several major cinemas in Macao. He also established the ‘Camel Art Group’ and co-founded the ‘Macao Cinema Trade Union’.
In his early years, Lok focused on creating large-scale portraits, such as President Mao’s portrait on ornate archways for National Day. His works feature an array of subject matters and deliver a strong passion and sympathy for life and people and his love for the motherland. His works are highly expressive. He was awarded an Extraordinary Prize at the National Exhibition of Fine Arts, and his work became part of the collection at the National Art Museum of China. In the 1950s, Lok and his artistic fellows established the ‘Macao Art Research Association’ (now known as the ‘Macau Artist Society’). After Macao’s reunification with the motherland, he was honoured with a ‘Medal of Cultural Merit’ from the Macao SAR Government.
Lok Cheong was one of the pillars of the Macao art circle. He nurtured many local emerging talents, united art enthusiasts, and advanced the artistic exchange between the art circles in Macao and the Chinese mainland. Recently, his family generously donated his extensive body of work, along with remarkable pieces by his friends, to the Macao Museum of Art, where they have become part of the museum’s collection. Today, the museum presents this centennial retrospective of Lok Cheong’s art – a commemoration and tribute to this vital pillar of Macao’s art scene, allowing the younger generation to better understand the ups and downs in the development of Macao art. We hope they can be inspired by this great artist and forge ahead into the new era of artistic creation.
On behalf of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, I would like to express my gratitude for the support of Lok Cheong’s family, disciples and friends. I wish the exhibition great success.
Deland, Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of
the Macao SAR Government