SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) held an opening ceremony on 4 September 2021 for Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau in continued support of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021”. The Empire Recast exhibition, showcasing a series of ceramic sculptures and installations by talented local artist Ms. Heidi Lau, is the second edition of SJM’s “Art • Creation • New Ambience” series of exhibitions taking place at Grand Lisboa Palace and Grand Lisboa Hotel. Officiating guests of the opening ceremony included Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Curator of the Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau Ms. Lam Sio Man, Managing Director of SJM Ms. Angela Leong; Director Mr. Arnaldo Ho and Secretary-General Dr. Rui Cunha.

Speaking about the exhibition series, Ms. Daisy Ho, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, said, “We are greatly encouraged by the good response received from our “Art • Creation • New Ambience” series, which feature the art works of Macau’s brilliant artists. We aim to make use of our properties as a cultural platform to showcase Macau as a base for exchange and co-operation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures co-exist.”

Ms. Angela Leong, Managing Director of SJM, said in her opening speech, “SJM is honoured to collaborate with talented local artist Heidi Lau. Her spectacular ceramic sculptures reflect her true passion for our hometown Macau, and we are proud to have her works on display at Grand Lisboa Palace and Grand Lisboa Hotel, to help further promote the development of arts and culture in Macau.

Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau
1 – 30 September, Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau
1 September – 31 October, Grand Lisboa Hotel Macau
Now on display at both Grand Lisboa Palace and Grand Lisboa, “The Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau” features a series of ceramic sculptures and installations. Ms. Lau’s ceramic works are a contemporary take on an historical art form, truly presents Macau. Her masterfully sculpted pieces are very fitting for the newly opened Grand Lisboa Palace which celebrates Macau’s traditions and cultural exchange. At Grand Lisboa Hotel, Ms. Lau’s art pieces are in perfect harmony with the craftsmanship of Dr. Stanley Ho’s art collection.

Deconstructed and rebuilt by hand, her works are both unique in shape and texture. They are reminiscent of shipwreck artefacts, ancient fossils of civilisation that have been lost in time. Taoist mythology, folk superstitions, and Macau’s rich history provide essential source materials for her works. Lau, who currently resides in New York, has showcased her work at many prestigious art institutions around the world including the 58^th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Venice, the Museum of Arts and Design and the Bronx Museum of Art in New York, the Macau Museum of Art and more.

Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau Seminar
4 September, Grand Lisboa Palace
Following on from the opening ceremony, Curator Ms. Lam Sio Man hosted a seminar on “Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau” for local residents to learn more about contemporary art. During the seminar, Lam introduced Ms. Lau’s use of ceramics as her main medium of expression in the creation of contemporary art. She also shared stories of her own life as a curator, her collaboration with Ms. Lau at the La Biennale di Venezia. She encouraged participants to be creative while reflecting on Macau’s past and present.

Empire Recast – Solo Exhibition of Heidi Lau Workshop
19 September, Grand Lisboa Palace
The workshop will be instructed by experienced artist and art educator Ms. Alice Lee at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Designed for both parents and their children aged 8 years and above, participants will learn how to use clay to make pottery bowls and discover new ways to create unique architectural patterns to decorate their works of art, aiming to give the participating families an opportunity to experience the fun and joy of pottery creation.