Show-Off 4.0: Three Collectors’ Exhibition by José Isaac Duarte, Luís Pessanha and Chao Iok Leng

As the 4^th edition of the “Show-Off” series by Taipa Village Cultural Association, this exhibition showcases a selection of works collected over the years, or decades, by three local collectors including economist José Isaac Duarte, legal consultant Luís Pessanha and artist Chao Iok Leng. This unusual exhibition seeks to address the nature of collecting and to stimulate a visual conversation about cultural possessions by individuals with very specific and highly personal interests.

These three collectors share their thoughts on what and why they collect artworks and the importance of this long-term habit. By revealing their beloved artworks that adorn their most intimate space – their homes – the exhibition unravels some ideas about collecting art, while aiming to promote collecting as a cultural asset that begins with an individual’s initiative, but can lead to a broader sense of shared wealth, a healthy society, diversification of the local economy (art trade in general), and the nurturing of local and international talent.

Curator’s statement

Collecting is a basic human instinct for survival, and when we went from being a nomadic species to a sedentary one, we began to collect not only food items, but also utensils, which then inspired other forms of recording, such as paintings on cave walls…

This exhibition presents a selection of works collected over years, even decades, by three local personalities. This unusual exhibition seeks to address the nature of collecting and to stimulate a visual conversation about cultural possessions by individuals with very specific and highly personal interests.

These three collectors share their thoughts on what and why they collect artworks and the importance of this long-term habit. By revealing their beloved artworks that adorn their most intimate space – their homes – the exhibition unravels some ideas about collecting art, while aiming to promote collecting as a cultural asset that begins with an individual’s initiative, but can lead to a broader sense of shared wealth, a healthy society, diversification of the local economy (art trade in general), and the nurturing of local and international talent.

The three collections couldn’t be more different, and just as three minds have their own opinions on the same subject, each collection reflects a facet of the collector’s personality.

For this exhibition, Chao Iok Leng is presenting two of the name plaques from her former shops, among other personal objects. She has kept at home with great pride and deep emotional attachment. Historically, Chinese shop name plaques (zhāopái) have a long cultural tradition and were once a defining feature of the Chinese streetscape. They were more than mere signage — they functioned as cultural capital, communicated aspirations, symbolized community recognition, and today can be understood as objects of cultural heritage.

José Isaac Duarte has focused his art collection on Portuguese-speaking countries, and on this occasion has placed particular emphasis on artists from Mozambique. Among them, one of the most prominent is Malangatana Valente Ngwenya (1936–2011), widely regarded as one of Mozambique’s most important modern artists and a major figure in twentieth-century African art. He was not only a painter, but also a poet, muralist, cultural activist, and political figure. His work is represented in major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.

Over the past decade, Luís Pessanha and his partner have been actively engaged in acquiring artworks both locally and internationally. Their collection has gradually expanded and evolved, increasingly shaping the character of their living space, where the accumulation of works now extends across the walls and toward the ceiling, reflecting the depth of their commitment to art. At home housing an art collection carries greater meaning than an apartment defined by bare white walls.

João Ó

José Isaac Duarte

José Isaac Duarte is a university lecturer in Economics who contributes regularly to the local press on economic and social issues. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Coimbra and a master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the University of London. Additionally, Duarte is the founder and former managing partner of the Amagao Gallery at Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, which specialised in promoting art from Portuguese-speaking countries.

Luís Pessanha

Luís Pessanha is a legal professional and researcher serving as a Legal Advisor to the Legislative Assembly and a part-time lecturer at the University of Macau’s Faculty of Law. Beyond his legal career, he is a passionate devotee of the fine arts. The son of Portuguese painter Ana Pessanha, Luís was immersed in the artistic world from a young age. While he comes from a family of painters and designers, he humbly notes that the talent for creation skipped him; instead, he channels his passion into appreciation. Over the decades, taking advantage of Macau’s dynamic cultural scene, he has leisurely curated a collection primarily featuring local painters, artisans, and photographers. While modest in monetary value, the collection is rich in personal meaning and stories, offering great enjoyment to all who visit his home.

Chao Iok Leng

Chao Iok Leng currently serves as the Vice President of the Macau Yi Un Calligraphy and Painting Association, an academic advisor for the Macao Association of Chinese Culture and Arts, an art advisor for the Macao Culture and Art Association, an honorary advisor for International Women Artists Association-Macao, and a member of the Macau Artist Society. Chao Iok Leng founded Livraria Ngai Chi Hin in the 1980s in Macau, supplying the “Four Treasures of the Study” and craft supplies, benefiting fellow artists and gaining high praise in the industry. In the early 2000s, she established Nam Fan Lou, selling various types of artistic fans as another medium to promote and develop calligraphy and painting art. She can be described as consistent in her pursuits, embodying the essence of a true artist in both calligraphy and painting.

Organiser