Lim Tze Peng, Kampong Family, 1980
Ink and colour on rice paper
68 x 68 cm (visible), 100 x 100 x 4 (framed)
Condition: Very good, consistent with age, light foxing throughout
-
Renowned as one of Singapore’s foremost visual artists, particularly revered within the realm of Chinese ink and calligraphy, this esteemed centenarian stands as a beacon of artistic excellence. Lim’s mastery of the significant Nanyang Style, a hallmark of Singapore’s early art scene, is palpable in his early Chinese ink paintings, showcasing a profound connection to cultural roots.
Embarking on his artistic odyssey in the vibrant 1950s, alongside his 30-year tenure as the principal of Xinmin Secondary School, this self-taught artist has meticulously crafted a body of work delves deep into the cultural and critical landscapes. In 2003, Lim’s unparalleled contributions to Singaporean art and culture were formally recognized as he was bestowed with the prestigious Cultural Medallion (Visual Arts), a testament to his enduring legacy and pivotal role in shaping the nation’s artistic narrative. Framed by Merlin in 1992, bought directly from Lim Tze Peng, hung in air conditioned office space.
“Although life was hard, hand to mouth, it was the good life,” Lim Tze Peng remembers. “Nothing compares to living in the countryside, living in the kampong.” The artist prides himself in painting what he knows, what his eyes see, and how his heart feels. “I know the kampong,” he says with easy authority, no boast in his tone. “I was born in the countryside, I know its moods and colours, what it was like in the morning, when the sun wasn’t harsh, and how a village retired after a hard day’s work. The roosters that roamed around like fellow villagers, the sarongs flipping in the wind, showing off like giggly young maidens. So, even today, I can sketch a lazy afternoon scene from memory, framed by leaning coconut trees and smiling young ladies.”
Tai Ho Woon, Rainbow after Dusk : Lim Tze Peng Remembers, 2023, p. 7.
(Photographed in October 2023)
Ink and colour on rice paper
68 x 68 cm (visible), 100 x 100 x 4 (framed)
Condition: Very good, consistent with age, light foxing throughout
-
Renowned as one of Singapore’s foremost visual artists, particularly revered within the realm of Chinese ink and calligraphy, this esteemed centenarian stands as a beacon of artistic excellence. Lim’s mastery of the significant Nanyang Style, a hallmark of Singapore’s early art scene, is palpable in his early Chinese ink paintings, showcasing a profound connection to cultural roots.
Embarking on his artistic odyssey in the vibrant 1950s, alongside his 30-year tenure as the principal of Xinmin Secondary School, this self-taught artist has meticulously crafted a body of work delves deep into the cultural and critical landscapes. In 2003, Lim’s unparalleled contributions to Singaporean art and culture were formally recognized as he was bestowed with the prestigious Cultural Medallion (Visual Arts), a testament to his enduring legacy and pivotal role in shaping the nation’s artistic narrative. Framed by Merlin in 1992, bought directly from Lim Tze Peng, hung in air conditioned office space.
“Although life was hard, hand to mouth, it was the good life,” Lim Tze Peng remembers. “Nothing compares to living in the countryside, living in the kampong.” The artist prides himself in painting what he knows, what his eyes see, and how his heart feels. “I know the kampong,” he says with easy authority, no boast in his tone. “I was born in the countryside, I know its moods and colours, what it was like in the morning, when the sun wasn’t harsh, and how a village retired after a hard day’s work. The roosters that roamed around like fellow villagers, the sarongs flipping in the wind, showing off like giggly young maidens. So, even today, I can sketch a lazy afternoon scene from memory, framed by leaning coconut trees and smiling young ladies.”
Tai Ho Woon, Rainbow after Dusk : Lim Tze Peng Remembers, 2023, p. 7.
(Photographed in October 2023)
Ink and colour on rice paper
68 x 68 cm (visible), 100 x 100 x 4 (framed)
Condition: Very good, consistent with age, light foxing throughout
-
Renowned as one of Singapore’s foremost visual artists, particularly revered within the realm of Chinese ink and calligraphy, this esteemed centenarian stands as a beacon of artistic excellence. Lim’s mastery of the significant Nanyang Style, a hallmark of Singapore’s early art scene, is palpable in his early Chinese ink paintings, showcasing a profound connection to cultural roots.
Embarking on his artistic odyssey in the vibrant 1950s, alongside his 30-year tenure as the principal of Xinmin Secondary School, this self-taught artist has meticulously crafted a body of work delves deep into the cultural and critical landscapes. In 2003, Lim’s unparalleled contributions to Singaporean art and culture were formally recognized as he was bestowed with the prestigious Cultural Medallion (Visual Arts), a testament to his enduring legacy and pivotal role in shaping the nation’s artistic narrative. Framed by Merlin in 1992, bought directly from Lim Tze Peng, hung in air conditioned office space.
“Although life was hard, hand to mouth, it was the good life,” Lim Tze Peng remembers. “Nothing compares to living in the countryside, living in the kampong.” The artist prides himself in painting what he knows, what his eyes see, and how his heart feels. “I know the kampong,” he says with easy authority, no boast in his tone. “I was born in the countryside, I know its moods and colours, what it was like in the morning, when the sun wasn’t harsh, and how a village retired after a hard day’s work. The roosters that roamed around like fellow villagers, the sarongs flipping in the wind, showing off like giggly young maidens. So, even today, I can sketch a lazy afternoon scene from memory, framed by leaning coconut trees and smiling young ladies.”
Tai Ho Woon, Rainbow after Dusk : Lim Tze Peng Remembers, 2023, p. 7.
(Photographed in October 2023)
