Jointly organised by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and Albergue SCM, the exhibition “Women Artists – 1st International Biennial of Macao” was inaugurated today (8 March), on the 3rd floor of the MAM, featuring 142 works from the 1970’s up to the present created by 132 women artists from 22 countries and regions, including paintings, silkscreen printings, drawings, sculptures, installations and videos, among others. The exhibition aims to record and present the creative trajectories and achievements of female artists during this period, as well as to introduce the achievements of female artists from varied ethnic and educational backgrounds and their pursuit of multiple aesthetics, in particular those artists that left their footprints in the artistic journey of the 21st century. The biennial is open until May 13.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Director of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R, Xu Ting; the Deputy Director and Representative of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Wang Tingting; the Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Leong Wai Man; the Advisor and Representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Leong Veng Hang; the Vice-Consul and Representative of Consul-General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong, Maria João Bonifácio; the Consul-General of the Republic of Angola in the Macao S.A.R., Sofia Pegado da Silva; the Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Macao S.A.R., Leong On Kei; the Acting President of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Zhong Yi Seabra de Mascarenhas; the Daughter of the Godmother of “Women Artists – 1st International Biennial of Macao”, Paula Rego, Victoria Willing; the Representative of the Director of the Albergue da Santa Casa da Misericórdia and the Principal, Isabel Marreiros; and the renowned Macao artist, Un Chi-Iam.
Leong Wai Man mentioned that female artists have been drawing increasing attention with time, revealing their artistic charm through their expression from their unique perspective. The biennial acquires a special significance as it is inaugurated today, 8 March, the International Women’s Day.
Last year, MAM and Albergue SCM held two exhibitions dedicated to art in the feminine. Both entities now jointly organise this larger exhibition “Women Artists – 1st International Biennial of Macao”, focusing on the status of women in the contemporary art world and other correlated elements, thereby hoping to open up new paths for reflection.
Women artists from Mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, East Timor, Russia, India, Iran, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, Cape Verde, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Georgia, Brazil, United States and Australia, among other countries and regions, were invited to participate in this biennial, which also includes works by female artists from the MAM’s collection, thus showcasing the unique art world of women.
The biennial features 36 works from the MAM’s collection of the 1970’s to present arranged in 10-year periods, allowing the public to know more about vanguard women artists and the achievements in studies of Macao’s art history; and showcases 5 large-scale installations works by invited artists, creating a different understanding of space, time and women. The exhibition also features works by 101 female artists active in the international art circles from the collection of Albergue SCM, aimed at rediscovering works by women who played a significant social and cultural role, in order to present the various forms of being a woman, the various understandings of the feminine, as well as artistic practices that transcend gender differences.
The exhibition “Women Artists – 1st International Biennial of Macao” is open until 13 May 2018. The Macao Museum of Art, located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, is open daily from 10am to 7 pm (no admission after 6:30pm), including public holidays and closes on Mondays. Admission is free. For more information, please visit the MAM website at www.MAM.gov.mo. For enquiries, please contact MAM through tel. no. 8791 9814 during opening hours.