The opening of “Reality and the 'real' - Works by Ng Man Wai” was such a great success held in Tak Chun Macau Art Garden on June 3 (Monday). On that day, lots of honorable guests have come to support the exhibition, including Assistant Diao Peng of Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Chief Lei Lai Kio of Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Vice-Director Wong Ka Long of the Macau Artist Society, Chairman Lei Chon Ming of Agencia Comercial GLORIA Lda., CEO Chiang Kin Tong of Trust Const & Invest Co. Ltd and the exhibition curator Lai Sio Kit. The exhibition hall was so crowded that it filled with lots of guests and artist, it was such a great time to have fun and enjoy the moment.

The opening ceremony

Visitors gazing at Man Wai’s artwork

Reality and the 'real', Ng Man Wai, Ceramic Clay, Acrylic, Oyster Seashell 1240°, 2018

Having lived in Germany for her master degree of art gave Man Wai more time to focus in art. In this process she has developed a different understanding of the artistic creation. This exhibition is further developed by this theme as well.“If the artwork replicates objects like a mirror, can it be art?” Man Wai raised such a question for herself. Therefore, Man Wai hopes to faithfully copy and reproduce objects in a regular, strict, and objective way of expression. At the same time, in the choice of the imitated objects, the artist is committed to choosing the most ordinary and most accessible things in life, such as eggs, peanuts, walnuts, stones and so on. Selecting these objects for “copying”, her purpose is not to have the symbolic meaning of the object itself, causing the association of the audience. But rather, the definition of art depends on the audience, and artistic creation and appreciation become a symbiotic process. It is when the forged "reality" and the real objects are placed in front of the audience at the same time, and are successfully hidden among themselves. Ordinary objects exacerbate the audience's interest in discovering art in what they are gazing at. At this point the "replica" is defined as a work of art.

The exhibition also showcases artwork that are created especially on-site for the gallery (the envelope series); furthermore, a dumpling feast was held after the opening. Inspired by the artist’s artwork “Dumplings”, the artist have prepared edible dumplings that look exactly same as the artwork. When both are placed on table, it is hard to identify which is the replica or the real subject at first glance, causing confusion to the guests. To complete the concept, the process was recorded through video, which will be screened during the exhibition period.

The envelope series, created especially for the exhibiting gallery - Reality and the 'real', Ng Man Wai, Acrylic, Envelopes, 2017-2019

The artist is preparing dumpling for everyone

Dumplings and replica

The dumpling feast

“Reality and the 'real' - Works by Ng Man Wai” is partly sponsored by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Macao SAR Government. Media partners include Hoje Macau and Ponto Final. The exhibition will be opened to public from 4 June to 1 July 2019.
 
AFA Macau is located in 1st Floor, Art Garden, Avenida Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues N. 265, Macau. The gallery is open from Monday to Saturday (11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and closed on Sunday and public holidays. For enquiries, please call (853) 2836 6064 during office hours or email to info@afamacau.com. For more information, please visit www.afamacau.com.