Kwok Se

Kwok Se 郭士 (1919 - 1999) was a celebrated Macau artist whose artistic exploration spanned multiple domains, including watercolour, oil painting, and Chinese ink, over a professional career of more than five decades.

Graduating from the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, he settled in Macau in the early 1960s.   In 1962, he co-founded the Rainbow Art Group with fellow artists Herculano Hugo Gonçalves Estorninho, Tam Chi Sang, and others to promote the development of Western painting and cultural diversity in Macau. Esteemed members of the Group included Italian sculptor Oseo Acconci and artist Chio Vai Fu.

Deeply influenced by Macau, a former Portuguese territory, Kwok Se created some of his masterpieces there.  His watercolour and oil were known for their special appeal and mood, skillfully captured the essence of iconic heritage sites and the city’s stunning landscapes.   He was also a master of Chinese ink art, combining abstract styles with traditional Chinese elements presenting an unconventional aesthetic and spiritual charm.  His artworks were collected by Macau governors, business and community leaders, museums, foundations, and private collectors.  In 1987, Kwok Se was awarded the Medalha de Mérito Cultural (Cultural Merit Medal) by the Macau government. 

Kwok Se's works were exhibited in numerous solo and joint exhibitions in Macau, Portugal, China, and other countries including 2023 Lisbon exhibition “Journeys of Light: Macao Landscape Watercolors from the Macao Museum of Art Collection” and 2024 exhibition “With the Sunshine Across the Sea - From French Impressionism to Landscape Paintings of Macao” held at the University of Macau.

The artist also held leadership positions in various organisations and served as President of the Board of Directors of the Macau Artist Society.