An exhibition featuring over 50 artworks from Singapore’s oldest living artist and Cultural Medallion Winner, Lim Tze Peng, is now happening at the National Gallery Singapore.
Becoming Lim Tze Peng dives deep into the legacy of the 103-year-old calligrapher and painter who was duly recognised with the country’s highest arts award in 2003 for his pioneering artistic achievements.
Lim’s artistic evolution across the decades is chronicled in its entirety, with the exhibition drawing both from the artist’s personal collection of oeuvres – dating back to as early as 1946 – and the public coffers.
Archival materials from the artist’s studio, peers and the National Gallery Singapore itself also contribute to the exhibition’s extensive narrative, divided into three thematic sections exploring distinct aspects of Lim’s artistry.
“From Dapo to Xiaopo” examines the vibrant scenes of Singaporean life and local landmarks that inspired most of the artist’s early work. The iconic Singapore River, Sultan Mosque and even daily life as it is at a hawker stall were all captured in ink and oil by the artist, who travelled often to Dapo and Xiaopo – meaning Big Quay and Little Quay in Mandarin respectively, colloquially referring to the areas around Outram Park and Kampong Glam – for outdoor drawing sessions and exhibitions.
Next up is “The World Outside”, which reflects Lim’s own internal journey as he ventured abroad to various countries in Southeast Asia and Europe with his contemporaries. Though the drawings of course capture tableaus of life unique to the artist’s travels, they also serve as a fitting showcase of Lim’s experimentations interweaving ink, oil, and calligraphy into a single work of art.
Last but not least comes “On My Own Grounds“, the ultimate section of the exhibition and the culmination of Lee’s artistic expressions. Here, his pioneering calligraphy technique of hu tu zi – meaning muddled characters in Mandarin – is put on full display with artworks both small and impressively large.
Standing proud at almost five metres in width is Lim’s largest artwork at this exhibition, Inroads No. 1 (2006), which best expresses the flowing transitions and visual tempo that guides the artist’s striking brushstrokes.
Becoming Lim Tze Peng runs from now to Mar 23 next year. The exhibition is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents.
Find out more at www.nationalgallery.sg/BecomingLimTzePeng.
