Sands China Holds Two Extension Activities for Art Macao 

Building a platform for art exchange between renowned artists and
local community through workshop and sharing session

（Macao, Aug. 4, 2025）– To connect the local community through art, Sands China hosted artist-led art and culture events July 26 at The Parisian® Macao and July 30 at The Londoner Macao®, as extension activities of the company’s two exhibitions for Art Macao 2025, Special Exhibition “Dopamine: Fountain of Happiness” and Collateral Exhibition “Beyond the Frame: International Contemporary Masterpieces.” 

The Home of Flower Energy Swirls Workshop 
Currently based in Tokyo, Bibi Lei is a rapidly emerging contemporary artist from Macao who has garnered international attention for her whimsical and vividly colourful painting style. She became the first and youngest Macao artist to achieve a sale record at Sotheby’s London, with her work selling at 193 percent above the estimated price, marking a significant milestone for the Macao art scene. Self-taught, Lei paints intuitively with her fingers, often portraying a recurring character – the “Brave Girl” – who symbolizes innocence and courage, journeying through a dreamlike world filled with hope and childlike wonder.

On July 26, a total of 30 children and their parents from the Children’s Dream Alliance joined an art workshop at The Parisian Macao’s Qube Kingdom with Lei, whose works are featured in both of Sands China’s Art Macao exhibitions. 

Her first-ever workshop was themed on the idea of ‘home.’ Lei guided participants to create their own “Home of Flower Energy Swirls” using her unique hands-on method of painting intuitively with the fingers, helping them release their emotions and activate their senses through art. Together, they created paintings full of personal expression, strengthening the parent-child connection.

Lei shared her personal story as both a mother and a creator, guiding the workshop participants to paint through colour, touch, and intuition. The workshop provided a safe, nurturing, and positive space for interaction through artistic expression, encouraging participants to freely explore their creative potential. More than just a lesson in painting, the workshop aimed to be a healing, liberating and reconnecting journey for the soul.

Art Sharing Session
Sands China held an Art Sharing Session July 30 at The Londoner Macao, featuring artists from the company’s Art Macao exhibitions. Moderated by Zabrina Lo, a senior editor of arts and culture, the free-admission event drew the attendance of more than 120 participants, including media, students, and the general public. The purpose was to create a platform for art exchange between renowned artists and art enthusiasts, thereby cultivating art appreciation among visitors and inspiring local young art talent.

The first topic of the sharing session was Speaking Urban Tales Through Art, hosted by three internationally acclaimed artists – Craig & Karl from the U.S. and England, and Ilya Milstein from Australia. They shared their creative journeys, discussing how they use the universal language of art to interpret the stories of different cities. 

The artist duo shared how their university life in Australia inspired them to use bold colours and they introduced their creative concepts behind their works for Art Macao under the theme of dopamine and Sesame Street. These works were inspired by Macao’s distinctive architecture, in which they incorporated Macao’s urban style from a local perspective. Meanwhile, Milstein introduced his works featuring people from all walks of life in New York and the city’s diversified landscape from his unique perspective. He also shared his skills on how he captured the surroundings, infusing his works with intricate details that vividly portray the essence of a metropolis.

Craig & Karl are an internationally renowned artist duo considered one of the most distinctive and imaginative creative partnerships in contemporary art and design, known for their bold use of colour and unique visual language. They have collaborated with some of the world’s leading brands and institutions and their works have been exhibited at major international institutions. 

Ilya Milstein is a renowned illustration artist known for his intricate and narrative-driven hand-drawn style. His work appears not only in global publications and advertising campaigns, but also in branded collaborations and exhibition designs.

The second topic of the Art Sharing Session was From Heritage to Horizon, hosted by three respected artists from Macao and mainland China: Hei Lok, Song Zhou, and Bibi Lei. Lok is a lifelong realist portrait artist from Macao dedicated to preserving and advancing its cultural arts, Zhou is renowned worldwide for his hyperrealist painting, and Lei recently returned to Macao after her success at Sotheby’s auction house in London. They shared their multifaceted paths from different Chinese cities to the global art stage, showcasing how they blend cultural heritage with innovation. 

Lok shared his artistic journey and how he promotes Chinese culture by telling the stories of Macao and mainland China through his educational work, creating an artistic practice of both preservation and innovation. Zhou showcased his hyperrealist paintings in which he incorporated the artistic essences of both Eastern and Western cultures, reflecting on how he maintained his own artistic expression within the global contemporary context. Lei shared her own story of how she once again dived into the art industry and how Japanese culture profoundly influences to her works. She also revealed her feelings about Macao and the way she incorporated the city’s cultural characteristics into her works.     

“Art has transformative power, and Sands China is delighted to have outstanding artists from our Art Macao exhibitions share their experiences and gifts with community groups in Macao,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd. “From the sharing by these international artists, we learnt how they cultivate their artistic senses and their profound insights on how art can significantly contribute to a city’s development as a medium. Also, Macao artists like Bibi Lei and Hei Lok are inspirational, as they set an example of how local artists can be bold in innovation and undertake new challenges. We hope community members thoroughly enjoyed their interactions with these extraordinary talents, as we look to inspire and nurture the next generation to engage in the local arts industry while promoting the city’s cultural image. In addition, we are pleased to invite Bibi, who returned home to great acclaim, to host a family-friendly workshop aimed at promoting harmony and conveying the uplifting spirit of art.” 

Meet-and-Greets with Sesame Street Stars 
Furthermore, Sands China hosted an exclusive meet-and-greet session Aug. 2 where Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie surprised their fans at The Venetian Macao’s main lobby. The other session, which will feature Elmo and Cookie Monster, will be held Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. at the same venue – inviting fans of all ages to take photos and interact with their favourite muppets, creating a memorable moment this summer. 

Special Exhibition “Dopamine: Fountain of Happiness” is on display at The Venetian Macao main lobby and outdoor lagoon and Collateral Exhibition “Beyond the Frame: International Contemporary Masterpieces” is at Sands Gallery at The Grand Suites at Four Seasons. Both exhibitions are on display now until Oct. 15, 2025.

For more information about both exhibitions, visit https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/sands-lifestyle/events/artmacao-2025.html and https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/sands-lifestyle/sands-art-gallery/beyond-the-frame-2025.html.