Sands China Ltd. launched its latest art exhibition on 30 September 2024, Echoes of a Golden Age: Macro Events through the Micro Visions of Macao’s Legendary Contemporary Artists with an opening ceremony at Sands Gallery.Echoes of a Golden Age is part of Sands China's ongoing commitment to the diversification of art and culture in Macao, providing a platform for promoting extensive exchange and cooperation among local and international art talent. It is organised by Sands China, co-organised by the Macau Artist Society, and curated by Macao artist Lam Chi Ian, with the support of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Government Tourism Office, and Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau.

Part of Sands China’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao’s return to the motherland, the exhibition features a quarter century of works from nine local contemporary art masters: Lai Ieng, Lok Hei, Ng Wai Kin, Ung Vai Meng, Lio Man Cheong, Lei Tak Seng, Chan Hin Io, Ao Kuan Kin, and Lam Chi Ian, each of whom has extensive experience in their various specialised disciplines.

 Mr. Lai Ieng

 Mr. Lok Hei

 Mr. Ung Vai Meng

Mr. Ng Wai Kin and Mr. Li Tak Seng

Mr. Lio Man Cheong

Mr. Chan Hin Lo

Mr. Ao Kuan Kin

Mr. Lam Chi Ian

Echoes of a Golden Age features 121 works spanning a variety of forms, including Chinese ink painting, oil painting, watercolour, acrylic painting, sketching, fineliner drawing, digital illustration, and photography. Together, they bring to life themes of Macao’s development and its cultural characteristics and public sentiments before and after its reunification, in celebration of Macao’s prosperity and patriotism since reunification and the uniting power of the Macao people to move forward.

Through these local artists’ personal lenses, viewers can gain an outstanding overview of the changes of the times from various perspectives, while sharing in the joy of this year of dual celebrations.

The artists have not only established themselves in the local art scene with their resounding achievements, but have designed stamps for the city, their scenes portraying the century-old splendour of the Taipa Houses or celebrating modern marvels like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. The artists reflect historical changes in the macro environment through their micro visions, with unique designs that record the changing of the times within the tiny canvas of a stamp frame. Visitors to the exhibition can admire these postage stamps alongside their source artworks in a meaningful exhibition that is accessible to the casual viewer and a must-see for both art enthusiasts and stamp collectors.

A Glance at the Venue

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “As this year marks the dual celebrations, this exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey by revisiting the glorious moments in Macao’s development and its local conditions and customs through the artists’ extraordinary perspectives, and to extend our heartfelt best wishes for our country and Macao. These nine local art masters have created magnificent works of different art forms and mediums that are a true representation of Macao’s all-encompassing and diverse visions, portraying Macao’s evolution and depicting the glorious stories of the city’s golden age after its handover. Of particular significance are the exquisite Macao stamps that have been meticulously designed by the nine artists, holding significant historical, cultural, and aesthetic value. With this exhibition, we hope to realise the role of Sands Gallery as a gateway for high-level artistic exchange, offering both Macao and overseas art talent a platform for sharing ideas and gaining inspiration.”  

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd

Lok Hei, president of the Macau Artist Society, said: “These representative pieces, including philatelic works, paintings, and photography, reveal to us the local artists’ love for Macao as they portray the traces of local buildings in bygone days and the new landscapes of the city in a new era. The exhibition of the nine artists’ works not only stands as our tribute for the dual celebrations, but is also a reflection of Macao’s historical heritage due to the integration of Chinese and Western cultures and the city’s rapid development since its reunification.”

Lok Hei, president of the Macau Artist Society, said

Exhibition curator Lam Chi Ian said: “The theme ‘Macro Events through Micro Visions’ fully embodies the great ambition that is conveyed in the works of the nine well-known local artists. This exhibition is a vivid representation of how Macao has been reinvigorated throughout the course of historical development. With the aim of relating Macao’s stories through the soft power of culture and art, we decided to pay tribute to the dual celebrations with this exhibition. It is commendable that Sands China has provided a six-star venue that allows the exhibition to be put on full display. On behalf of Macau Creations and as the curator, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Sands China, the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao Government Tourism Office, Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau, Macau Artist Society, and team members at Macau Creations for their contribution to the exhibition, and also my congratulations to all participating artists!”

Exhibition curator Lam Chi Ian said

Guests of honour  on 30 September 2024 opening ceremony were Bai Bing, deputy director-general of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Lau Wai Meng, director of the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau; Cheng Wai Dong, acting director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Cheang Kai Meng, vice president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR; Dr. Wong; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd.; Dave Sun, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sands China Ltd., and managing director of Venetian Macau Limited; Lok Hei; and Lam Chi Ian.

Photo of guests and participating artists