As an essential part of the Macao International Art Biennale, the exhibition of Selected Works by Local Artists is an important platform for us to meet local Macao culture.

Under the theme of "Advance and Retreat of Globalization", the exhibition has received more than 70 submissions and 12 works have been selected for exhibition. Even though most of the participating artists are young and new in the art scene, they are striving for innovation, in form and in language, ideological turning themes into vivid artistic images to show the distinctive understanding of site Macao artists towards historical moments of the world. these artists not only devote themselves to forming their unique artistic presentations via different media of art, which they excel at, but also care about the current social development through their artwork.

Among the selected works, “League of Journeyers to the East” and “Paradise Series” depicts the first globalization process in early modern times respectively in surrealistic and realistic ways. By different media, “Genesis on 720 Screens: The Unknowable _/_”,“Stray Birds”, “It's Been A Hard Year” and “Glocalization” refer to

the changes the pandemic has brought to modern society. "China Landscape No.2021” and “Allegory of Globalization” focus more on discussing beauty in form, which is significant in such a moment when globalization seems to have been paused. Created with readymade and new materials, “It Doesn’t Matter to Me”, “Scattered”,“Evolution” and “Mother” present the artists’ reflection on modern society and modern life in a satirical yet playful manner.

When the world is still suffering from the pandemic today, it is art that builds the bridge of communication and understanding. this exhibition will not only echo the main exhibition of international artworks, but also become a major platform for Macao's local art to be recognized by the public.

Chief Curator of Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021

Qiu Zhijie