Contemporary representations of Macao

In 2007 Macao took part in one of the most prominent and prestigious international exhibitions of contemporary art — the Venice Biennale. While Hong Kong has been included in that exhibition since 2001, this was Macao's debut appearance. It was a landmark event for Macao art, and indeed, for post-handover Macao in a more general sense. ¹ While the works included in international survey exhibitions will always be taken, to some degree, as representative of their place of origin, the Venice Biennale is organized in a manner that underscores that tendency. Works are presented in locality-themed pavilions and sites. It is uncontroversial to say, therefore, that the manner in which a relatively obscure location such as Macao represents itself at its first Biennale is of particular significance. As the press release accompanying the Macao exhibit stated, the 2007 Venice Biennale provided an opportunity to introduce Macao art to the world. ²