Show-Off 3.0 : Three Collectors’ Exhibition by Lúcia Lemos, Carlos Morais José, Rita Machado

Taipa Village Cultural Association is delighted to present Show-Off 3.0, the third chapter of the accomplished art collectors’ exhibition in Taipa Village. Building on the cultural influence brought to the community by the first show, Show-off 3.0 is a treasure trove of art acquired by three renowned collectors whose backgrounds are a study in diversity: founder of Creative Macau Lúcia Lemos, publisher Carlos Morais José and architect Rita Machado.

Curator’s statement

Collecting is a basic human instinct for survival, and when we went from being a nomadic species to a sedentary one, we began to collect not only food items, but also utensils, which then inspired other forms of recording, such as paintings on cave walls…

This exhibition presents a selection of works collected over years, even decades, by three local personalities. This unusual exhibition seeks to address the nature of collecting and to stimulate a visual conversation about cultural possessions by individuals with very specific and highly personal interests.

These three collectors share their thoughts on what and why they collect artworks and the importance of this long-term habit. By revealing their beloved artworks that adorn their most intimate space – their homes – the exhibition unravels some ideas about collecting art, while aiming to promote collecting as a cultural asset that begins with an individual’s initiative, but can lead to a broader sense of shared wealth, a healthy society, diversification of the local economy (art trade in general), and the nurturing of local and international talent.

The three collections couldn’t be more different, and just as three minds have their own opinions on the same subject, each collection reflects a facet of the collector’s personality.

Lucia has been involved in the promotion of local artists for over two decades. An artist herself, who developed her skills in black and white photography and video, her special relationship with images stems from her many years of exposure to the artistic milieu of the city of Porto. Interestingly, her chosen collection is mainly based on vibrant, colourful paintings by local and foreign artists.

Carlos’ collection reminds us of a subtle yet complex relationship between a scholar and the viewing stones Gonshi, for to the untrained eye a stone is just an indifferent rock, but to an aesthete the so-called scholar’s stone engages in an aesthetic appreciation of the qualities of the shaped rocks, prompting the mind to dwell on other matters that transcend its appearance.

Rita and her partner have been involved in curating and promoting Macau’s cultural scene, so it is natural that their collection is based on their relationships with many local and international artists, some of whom have become lasting friendships.

João Ó

Collectors’ Introduction 

Lúcia Lemos 

Lúcia Lemos is the founder of Creative Macau, a non-profit organisation promoting local creativity. Lemos has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to Macao’s creative sector. Creative Macau is a platform for artists to showcase their works in various fields, including painting, graphic design, 3D art , photography and film. Lúcia Lemos is also the director of Sound & Image Challenge International Short Film Festival since 2010.

Carlos Morais José

Carlos Morais José is a poet, writer, editor and journalist, graduated in Anthropology from the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. He has lived in Macau since 1990. He was a journalist for the Portuguese daily newspaper O Século and the weekly O Independente. Since arriving in Macau, while the territory was still under Portuguese administration, he has been working in journalism, advertising and publishing. He is the director of the daily newspaper Hoje Macau and responsible for the publishing houses COD and Livros do Meio. Carlos Morais José was the programming director of the Macau Literary Festival – Rota das Letras.

Rita Machado

Rita Machado is interested in the intersection between Western and Eastern culture, between urban design and architectural design, she completed her degree in Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto with the thesis: “Macau, (in) finite city”. She is the co-founder and principal architect of Impromptu Projects, an award-winning studio focused on the design of architectural projects, ephemeral structures, interior design, public spaces and projects aimed at the local community, as well as studying its social relevance. Alongside her practice of architecture, she has dedicated herself to curatorial services and was the co-curator of Candida Höfer: Epic Gaze at the Macao Museum of Art in 2024.

Organiser

Sponsor 

Cultural Development Fund of the Macao SAR

Art Consultant