On the morning of 9 April 2026, the exhibition entitled “Art Knows No Bounds” — a presentation of Chinese calligraphy and painting works by Master of Arts graduates of 2026, organised by the Faculty of Innovation and Design of the City University of Macau — was formally inaugurated at the Exhibition Hall of the Cultural Centre. Distinguished guests in attendance included Mr. Chan Iok Wai, Head of the Student Affairs Division of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Professor Zhou Wanlei, Vice Rector of the City University of Macau; Professor Ip Kuai Peng, Vice Rector; Associate Professor Wang Po-Hsun, Executive Associate Dean of the Faculty of Innovation and Design; and Associate Professor Ren Yujie, Programme Coordinator of the Master of Arts Programme, among other guests.

The exhibition presents Chinese calligraphy and painting works by a total of 74 Master of Arts graduates. The exhibited works encompass a broad range of subject matter and demonstrate a diversity of artistic styles, embodying both the students' comprehension of and commitment to the traditional spirit of Chinese brush and ink, and their intellectual engagement and creative experimentation in the pursuit of individual artistic expression. During the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Li Zhe, speaking on behalf of the graduating cohort, reflected upon the collective growth and accomplishments attained by his fellow students throughout two years of dedicated study and artistic practice in Chinese calligraphy and painting. He conveyed profound gratitude for the University's steadfast commitment to their cultivation, the meticulous guidance rendered by faculty members and mentors, and the spirit of mutual encouragement shared among peers. He remarked that “Art Knows No Bounds” serves not merely as the thematic title of the exhibition, but as an enduring exhortation to pursue lifelong artistic advancement.

In his address, Vice Rector Professor Ip Kuai Peng extended a cordial welcome to all guests on behalf of the City University of Macau and expressed his sincere appreciation to the faculty members and students whose dedicated efforts made the exhibition possible. He affirmed that the University has consistently upheld the principle of according equal importance to professional competence and humanistic cultivation, with a particular emphasis on guiding students to consolidate their disciplinary foundations through rigorous study and practice, and to deepen their scholarly understanding through research and critical inquiry. The University, he noted, remains committed to nurturing artistic professionals who possess intellectual depth, creative proficiency, and an innovative disposition. He offered his best wishes to the graduating students, encouraging them to sustain their passion for and reverence towards the arts, to seek innovation within the framework of tradition, and to achieve continued growth through sustained practice.

Following the formal addresses, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted. The attending dignitaries and graduates posed for a commemorative group photograph and subsequently toured the exhibition. The exhibition is scheduled to remain open to the public until 14 April 2026. This exhibition affords the graduates a valuable opportunity to present the outcomes of their academic and artistic endeavours, while simultaneously providing a platform for scholarly exchange and mutual appreciation among faculty and students of the University. It is of considerable significance in advancing the quality of artistic talent cultivation at the University and in showcasing the achievements of its arts education programmes.

Contributed by: Faculty of Innovation and Design