The Sands Gallery booth at Hong Kong’s annual international art fair Art Central concluded its week of activities on 29 March, marking Sands China as the first integrated tourism and leisure enterprise in Macau to participate in the fair as an Associate Partner.
Art Central is one of the key events of Hong Kong Art Week. It is widely recognized for spotlighting dynamic Asian galleries and emerging artists while also featuring outstanding works by leading figures from the global art scene. By doing so, it serves as an important platform for exchange between Hong Kong and the international art community.
This year Sands China presented more than 40 exhibits at its Sands Gallery booth, including representative works by three young Macau contemporary artists – Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou and Dor Lio Hak Man – as well as original firecracker packaging labels that reflect the history of Macau’s firecracker industry.
Dr Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd, said, “We are deeply honored to join Art Central as Associate Partner and sincerely grateful to the organizer for their recognition and support of Sands Gallery.”
Dr Wong added that Art Central is a highly influential platform within the global contemporary art sector and that Sands Gallery’s participation is deeply meaningful.
The company stated that it will continue to support the Macao SAR Government’s diversified development direction by building broader international platforms for local artists and by leveraging arts and culture to help foster a more diverse and visionary future for Macau.
During Art Central, Sands China also organized extended programs including a seminar on firecracker aesthetics and guided tours, aiming to deepen international audiences’ understanding of Macau’s culture while promoting the integration of culture and tourism.
Corey Andrew Barr, fair director of Art Central, said, “Sands China embodies a spirit of partnership that goes far beyond the conventional – building genuine pathways for the exchange of art and ideas between Macau and Hong Kong, rooted in a deep sense of shared heritage that binds our two cities like family.”
The firecracker industry is one of Macau’s three major traditional industries, with the Iec Long Firecracker Factory being the most renowned and currently the only remaining firecracker factory site. Iec Long is also one of Sands China’s key projects supporting the revitalization of Macao’s historic districts. Following revitalization efforts by Sands China, the site has become a fascinating attraction near Rua do Cunha in Taipa.
In addition to showcasing firecracker-related exhibits at Art Central, Sands China is also presenting at Sands Gallery a catalogue and selected original firecracker packaging labels associated with “A Century of Iec Long Firecracker Factory in Radiance – An Exhibition on the Resonant History and Aesthetic Memory of Macao Firecrackers.”
