The Collective Exhibition of Macao Artists, celebrating its silver jubilee anniversary this year, is to be held from June 19 to August 30 at the Temporary Exhibitions Gallery of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), with 33 pieces of art from both proficient artists and new talents being showcased.

In a press conference held at the grand hall of IACM yesterday, the authority reported that altogether 264 pieces of art were received for the event during the submission period in February; a 17 percent increase over last year. Of the 200 work pieces submitted, there were 94 Chinese paintings, 76 western paintings and 94 pieces of Chinese Calligraphy.

Over its 25 years the Exhibition has undergone some changes and this year only 33 pieces receiving the highest judging scores will be on show, when previously the number was 50. An additional exhibition titled ‘Extended art exhibition’ consisting of 23 outstanding works according to the judges, will be held for the first time from September 23 to October 8 at the Lou Lim Ieoc Garden.

Best Works have been chosen by the authority in each category with one among the three winners awarded Best Creation Special Prize. To encourage creativity among young people three artists received the award of best new talent.

When asked about features in this year’s submissions, Ng Peng In, a member of the Administration Committee, said that the pieces tended to be more traditional and less contemporary. Leong Chi Hou, awarded best new talent for the category of Chinese painting said that his aim was to show the development of Macau from a fishing village to modern international city from his perspective.