Three Macau artists—Fok Hoi Seng, O Chi Wai, and Lei Fung Ieng—are presenting works in the exhibition “Jacone’s Polyphony” at the 61st Venice Biennale. The show, curated by Feng Yan and Ng Sio Ieng, draws inspiration from the 17th-century Jesuit painter Wu Li (known in Portuguese as Jacone), whose unfulfilled journey to Rome mirrors Macau’s complex cultural identity. Fok contributes a large-scale screen tracing Wu Li’s intended route; O offers a multimedia installation linking past and present spiritual seeking; and Lei creates a sculpture exploring migration and emotional texture.
This exhibition matters because it positions Macau’s contemporary art within a global dialogue, using a historical figure to examine themes of migration, cultural hybridity, and unfinished journeys. By connecting Wu Li’s story to the artists’ own experiences, the show highlights Macau’s role as a cultural gateway and challenges stereotypes about the region. It also underscores the Venice Biennale’s function as a platform for underrepresented voices and cross-cultural exchange.