The Artwork: The Tile Panel at Macau Airport
In 1994, Eduardo Nery received an invitation from the Macau government to create a mural for the passenger terminal at Macau International Airport. Before starting the project, Nery visited the site to familiarize himself with the surroundings, assess the terminal's construction progress, and establish connections with the relevant parties. The commission came from CAM - Sociedade do Aeroporto Internacional de Macau, SARL, to enhance the airport's public space.
Nery's artistic journey began under the influence of gesturalists like Hans Hartung and Pierre Soulages. However, starting in 1965, his style shifted towards Op Art, exploring the manipulation of visual perception and occasionally incorporating three-dimensional elements into his paintings.
The terminal building at Maca u Airport boasts a straightforward, symmetrical architectural design. The commissioned artwork was a large tile panel intended to cover the entire front of the departure lounge mezzanine, measuring 210 meters long and 2.10 meters high. The panel's design features gentle curves and flat sections, interrupted only by symmetrical staircases. The project was completed and unveiled du ring the official opening of Macau Airport in December 1995.
The Viúva Lamego Factory was responsible for creating the entire panel, from producing the single-colour tiles to painting the figurative motifs based on Nery's precise specifications. The panel's composition revolves around a square grid of tiles, forming a geometric pattern of diagonals and verticals that serve as a cohesive element. This abstract framework unifies the various figurative motifs and gives the panel a sense of coherence.
In researching for the mural, Nery delved into Portuguese and Chinese cultures and sought advice from Asian specialists. The themes depicted include Portuguese and Chinese religions and myths, the historical significance of the sea in connecting Portugal and Macau, nautical science, aviation in Macau, and aspects of Portuguese culture from the 16th and 17th centuries. These motifs were meticulously drawn based on old, authentic images Nery simplified and reinterpreted for the mural.