Integrated resort operator MGM’s National Art Funds-backed “Talent Training on the Cultural and Creative Design of Maritime Silk Road” exhibition has been open to the public since Friday in Barra, featuring 30 original works produced by trainees after nearly a year of study and field research.
According to a statement by MGM last week, the exhibition is part of the “2025 National Arts Fund” arts talent sponsorship programme and was inaugurated on Thursday at the site of an erstwhile abattoir in Barra.
The talent training programme ran for nearly a year and used the Poly MGM Museum in Nape as its study base, with support from the Beijing Palace Museum and the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), the statement added.
The programme covered five key Maritime Silk Road cities and combined cultural theory, professional field visits and design practice, aiming to cultivate cultural and creative talent. The exhibition is divided into six sections – “Setting Sail,” “Exploration,” “Integration,” “Growth,” “Passing the Torch” and “Tides” – showcasing 30 original works, including cultural creative products, fashion design, paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations.
Speaking to the media before the opening ceremony, Chinese mainland artist Wang Yuding said she used 12 colours to represent the Maritime Silk Road in a “warm and steady” way. “The most difficult part of the design was to combine all the colours to create the design,” she said, adding she hoped that the exhibition can show the value of contemporary design to audiences worldwide.
Moreover, Wang noted that Macau invited local designers to provide professional feedback, which helped explore cross-border collaboration and business transformation.
Meanwhile, local artist Leong Man Teng said her work uses composite material and drew inspiration from museum visits during the programme, including an experience at the Poly MGM Museum. Leong said she incorporated elements of blue-and-white porcelains into her work after being inspired by exhibits seen in museums such as the National Museum of China in Beijing and the Guangdong Provincial Museum in Guangzhou.
Leong added that the programme’s combination of theory and creative practice helped deepen her thinking and supported her artistic development.
The exhibition runs until March 8 and is open to the public for free.
Photos: Khalel Vallo
