Print-making is one of the most recent, and most successful artistic activities in Macau. The proof lies in two exhibitions which were held in Macau during December. Firstly, there was an exhibition of works by students at the Slade School of Art in London, the first step in a programme of artistic exchanges promoted by Macau. The fact that this could be organised indicates that there is a growing interest in print-making in Macau. Similarly, the exhibition of works by students at the Macau Academy of Visual Arts which was then sent to be put on show in the Slade School.
One name stands out from these exhibitions and exchanges: Bartolomeu Cid dos Santos, master printer and a teacher at the Slade School of Art. In collaboration with Nuno Barreto, Director of the Academy of Visual Arts, who has been the true motivator behind the course, the two teachers have produced a class of loyal, enthusiastic printers with their artistic roots in Macau. Started only two years ago, Bartolomeu's introduction to the catalogue of the exhibition held at the Academy of Visual Arts claims that "the standards attained by the Academy despite its as yet short life and with technical facilities which have still not been completely installed allow students to achieve professional levels of work reflecting not only their enthusiasm but also their creative spirit".
Eric Choi Chi Hong
Jaime Wong Cheng Pou
The Print studio in the Academy of Visual Arts is one of the most recently set up and best equipped studios in Southeast Asia and compares favourably with other countries.
This all provides a base for stimulating and facilitating an exhibition which will be held in the near future of print-makers from this region. Multiple copies of an original image, printing proofs are easily distributed making this one of the most fruitful means of artistic exchange. Printing offers Macau the opportunity to strengthen its links with this geographic area in a strategic move which it is important be promoted.
We can have nothing but praise for the Academy's studio. It is still in its early stages but it has already been established and its roots will grow and bear fruit into the future. The studio is just another example of the innovations brought about in the tiny little freeport on the Southern coast of China where so many centuries ago a box of movable type was unloaded from a ship from Europe.
Fernanda Dias
Cindy Ng Sio Ieng
Anita Fung Pou Chu
This issue of RC includes an interview with Bartolomeu Cid dos Santos, a name closely connected to Macau. In it, he covers the history of his own life and the development of print-making in Portugal.
start p. 173
end p.