Exhibitiongoers headed to Casa Garden have a chance to see more of legendary Macau lensman Frank Lei Ioi Fan’s (1962-2022) photography at the ongoing exhibition titled “When the Island Casts Its Shadows”.
The exhibition, which has been on since Casa Garden reopened* earlier this month, had its opening ceremony on Tuesday and took over one year to prepare. It features more than 60 photos taken by Lei, including those captured while he was studying in France in the 1990s and his works in Macau. Exhibitiongoers can even see what kind of cameras Lei had used, along with his drawings and writings.
Also on display are a reproduction of Lei’s installation “Never-ending Sea” and a new piece that incorporates Lei’s wetland slides photography by artist Joein Leong. Gallerygoers will be able to explore all of the works displayed at Casa Garden, which doubles as the headquarters of the Lisbon-based Fundação Oriente (FO), across three sections: “Gaze in Alienation”, “Texture of Time” and “Island Songs”.
Tuesday’s opening ceremony was attended by dozens of guests and representatives, among them Consul-General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong Alexandre Leitão, local government representatives, artists, and members of Lei’s family.
Director of the Macau Delegation of Fundação Oriente Catarina Cottinelli delivered a speech at the event, wishing the exhibition and its organisers great success and hoping that visitors will enjoy the works displayed. Moreover, Lam Sio Man, a member of the exhibition’s curatorial team, said during her speech that Lei was a “pioneer in contemporary photography in Macau, exploring aesthetics while providing critical reflections on social realities”.
“Frank captured not only the most beautiful images of our city, but also the moments that might otherwise be forgotten, promoting future reflections”, Lam pointed out.
Lei passed away in 2022, but his memory lives on. The works he left behind showcase his talent and continue to inspire others through them. Those keen to see the exhibits from his large body of work may visit the exhibition until June 29. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Mondays.
*Casa Garden, located beside Jardim de Luís de Camões (白鴿巢公園), reopened on June 3 after a five-month renovation period. Lei’s exhibition runs concurrently with “Objects With Soul: Portuguese Puppets”, which is held on the basement.
Photos taken on Tuesday by Rui Pastorin
