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The Rui Cunha Foundation opens today, Tuesday, March 4th at 6:30 pm, the Macau and Guangzhou Porcelain Exhibition “Return to Navigation”, by artist Lei Iat Po (李溢坡), with a set of around 40 pieces of colored porcelainfrom the Canton region, a traditional industry that originated in the Qing Dynasty and developed mainly for export, gaining popularity among the European courts and the Western aristocracy, while promoting Chinese culture abroad in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Canton porcelain – also known as Guangcai – is famous for its bold and vibrant colors, complex and intricate patterns, and richly decorated with hand-painted gilded applications. Being a typical industry from southern China, it also bloomed in Hong Kong and Macau in the 20th century, particularly after the 1930s invasion and the social instability on the mainland. Many factories moved to the two autonomous territories nearby and production took off in the 1950s, with international demand for these exotic oriental pieces growing in the post-World War recovery.

Canton porcelain has been a successful example of the fusion between East and West over the centuries, contributing to the beneficial cultural exchange. In Macau, at the peak of the 1960s, there were dozens of factories in full operation. But in the 1980s, production returned to the mainland, with so much more competitive costs and labor conditions.

Lei Iat Po was born in Macau in 1954. His passion for the art of colored porcelain stems from the family business. He was influenced since childhood by his father, who produced and exported pieces to the European and American markets. Lei Iat Po worked at his father’s Guangcai Wooden Base Factory and, later, at the Guangcai Colored Porcelain Factory. Under his advice, he followed the guidance of famous master Zhao Zhuo to learn the kiln firing control technology. He would then learn everything about the craft of artisanal painting techniques and porcelain coloring.

Curated by Margaret Lei Siu Heng, the collection presents pieces of incalculable value, due to their quality and degree of complexity in their execution, revealing the years of improvement and dedication to this centuries-old technique by the artist, who intends to continue promoting his art and preserving the important historical past.

The artworks will be on display until March 15th, 2025.

Admission is free.

Don’t miss it!

For Macau, Further and Higher!

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