Opening Ceremony (11/04/2024)
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities (FAH) at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), in collaboration with the Heritage Information System of Portugal (SIPA – Sistema de Informação para o Património Arquitetónico), and the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre (CCCM – Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau, I.P) in Lisbon, is proud to present the exhibition “Unveiling the Artistic Journey of Eduardo Nery at Macau Airport”.
This exhibition marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic tile mural created by renowned Portuguese artist Eduardo Nery for the Macau International Airport. In 1994, Nery was invited by the Macao Government to design a large-scale artwork to enhance the airport’s public space, and the resulting 210-meter-long and 2.10-meter-high tile panel was unveiled during the official opening of the airport in December 1995. The exhibition explores Nery’s creative process, offering visitors a unique insight into the conception and realisation of the mural, which has become a symbol of the Macau Airport.
The themes depicted in the artwork include Portuguese and Chinese religions and myths, the historical significance of the sea in connecting Portugal and Macao, nautical science, aviation in Macau, and aspects of Portuguese culture from the 16th and 17th centuries. Through various materials, including original sketches, studies, and photographs, this exhibition provides a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s meticulous work in simplifying and reinterpreting historical images to create the stunning mural.
“[We] seek not merely to display Eduardo Nery’s final masterpiece in Macau Airport but to delve into the intricate process leading to its creation”, said Prof. Carlos Sena Caires, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the curator of the exhibition. “It is fascinating to appreciate the diverse source and inspiration that informed Eduardo Nery artistic and creative approach, ranging from ancient drawings to Chinese painting references, and architectural photographs, all converging into a coherent yet diverse artistic expression.”
The exhibition was officially opened yesterday afternoon with the presence of honorable guests, including Chairman of the Executive Committee of Macau International Airport Company Limited, Mr. Simon Chan; Director of the Executive Committee of Macau International Airport Company Limited, Ms. Lo Chung I; representative of the Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau and Director of Macao Museum, Ms. Lou Ho Yan; President of Albergue da SCM, Architect Carlos Marreiros; Director of Macau-China Delegation of Fundação Oriente, Ms Catarina Cotinelli; Head of the Portuguese Language Center at IPOR, Ms. Paula Costa; Director of Escola Portuguesa de Macau, Dr. Acácio Azevedo de Brito; and guest from USJ including Vice-Rectors Prof. Keith Morrison, Prof. Álvaro Barbosa and Dr. Teresa Loong; Administrator Dr. Alejandro Salcedo; Head of the Delegation to Portugal for USJ, Mr. Francisco Peixoto; Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof. Carlos Sena Caires: Head of Department of Architecture and Design, Prof. Nuno Soares; and Supervisor of Design Programme, Prof. Filipa Simões.
The “Unveiling the Artistic Journey of Eduardo Nery at Macau Airport” exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, from now until April 26, in Keng Wong Exhibition Gallery at the University of Saint Joseph Ilha Verde Campus.