‘MACAU, balitourismnow.com – SJM Resorts, S.A. (“SJM”) presents “Picasso: Beauty and Drama,” the world premiere exhibition, as one of the highlights of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025.”
The exhibition has officially opened at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, offering visitors a new experience. SJM, in collaboration with the Museo Casa Natal Picasso, and with the support of the Public Agency for the Management of the Casa Natal de Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and other Museums and Cultural Institutions, will also present the exhibition.
Including the City of Málaga, the exhibition will run from now until October 26, 2025, featuring over 140 original works by Pablo Picasso, including paintings, prints, ceramics, manuscripts, and illustrations.
Through this extraordinary collection, the exhibition explores Picasso’s evolving interpretation of the beauty and emotional drama of his personal life, offering an intimate glimpse into one of the greatest artistic minds of the 20th century.
The exhibition also reflects SJM’s ongoing commitment to enriching Macau’s tourism offerings through cultural exhibitions and advancing the integration of “Art + Tourism” into urban development.
Leong Wai Man, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau Special Administrative Region Government, said: “‘Art Macao,’ an international arts festival jointly organized by the Macau Special Administrative Region Government and various sectors, serves as a platform for cultural exchange and a catalyst for the city’s innovative development,” he continued.
“Its success reflects the unwavering support of all stakeholders. SJM’s long-standing commitment to arts and culture has significantly enriched Macau’s urban landscape with an international vision and creative curation, enhancing the city’s global artistic reputation,” said Leong Wai Man.
Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, said, “SJM is proud to continue supporting ‘Art Macao’ and working with the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in advancing high-quality development in the city’s cultural sector.
“To realize our vision of ‘shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism,’ we must continue to build rich and multidimensional experiences that prioritize cultural preservation and international exchange,” explained Daisy Ho.
This exhibition exemplifies meaningful cross-cultural collaboration and aligns with our long-standing efforts to promote Chinese cultural heritage. It also highlights Macao’s unique character, a blend of East and West, and reflects SJM’s active role in fostering the city’s cultural development.
Echoing the theme of Art Macao 2025, “Hey, what brought you here?”, “Picasso: Beauty and Drama” charts the artist’s creative evolution through various stages of his career and across various media, offering rare insights into his emotional landscape and deep connection to his homeland, Andalusia.
Highlighted works include “Figure in a Striped Costume,” painted for his partner; “Paloma with Doll, Black Background,” a tender portrait of his five-year-old daughter; the ceramic masterpiece “Knight and Horse”; and “Painter with Brush and Veiled Model,” a reinterpretation of the artist’s studio.
The exhibition is divided into seven thematic galleries:
1. Beauty – Challenging and redefining classical ideals of beauty. Picasso once said, “Art is the most beautiful lie.”
2. Myth – Reinterpreting ancient narratives through a modern perspective, embracing Picasso’s belief that “good artists imitate; great artists steal.”
3. Bulls – Exploring the symbolic role of bullfighting in Spanish identity and the artist’s emotional response to his homeland.
4. Women – Paying tribute to the influential women in Picasso’s life, whose presence shaped his creative and emotional journey.
5. Ceramics – Highlights Picasso’s explorations in ceramics in his later years, transforming everyday vessels into works of art guided by the philosophy: “Learn the rules like a professional, so you can break them like an artist.”
6. Technique – Showcases Picasso’s tireless experiments in etching, printmaking, and mixed media, echoing his reflection: “I always do what I cannot do, so I can learn how to do it.”
7. Top Ten – Presents ten classic works that encapsulate Picasso’s artistic genius, his devotion to family, his love of tradition, and his uncompromising intellect.
The exhibition culminates in an interactive zone, inviting visitors to return to the theme of Art Macao 2025 “Hey, what brings you here?” Shifting from passive observers to active creators, engaging with Picasso’s spirit through themed installations:
* Mirror Room: Distorted reflections awaken self-awareness and creative expression through self-portraits or collaborative drawings.
* Where Are You Going?: A symbolic journey through four life paths, encouraging visitors to follow their passions — as Picasso did throughout his career.
Exhibition Details: Dates: 20 July to 26 October 2025. [rls]