Share
Add fave
Chat with us on WhatsApp
About the artwork
This painting by Lim Tze Peng captures a nostalgic and expressive vision of old Singapore, focusing on the shophouses and streets that once defined the city's landscape. Architectural Nostalgia - The detailed yet expressive brushstrokes depict traditional shophouses with intricate facades, wooden shutters, and bustling ground-floor businesses. The slanted and slightly distorted buildings reflect the passage of time, emphasizing both history and impermanence. Small human figures in the foreground represent everyday life, evoking a sense of community in old Singapore. The presence of shopkeepers and pedestrians highlights the lively trade and social interactions that once filled these streets. The warm, earthy tones contrast with the darker outlines, creating a sense of nostalgia and an almost dreamlike atmosphere. The golden hues in the sky suggest either sunrise or sunset, symbolizing change—perhaps a reflection on Singapore’s rapid modernization. Lim’s distinctive use of bold, expressive strokes merges traditional Chinese ink painting with modern abstraction. The fusion of structured lines with free-flowing ink creates a dynamic and emotional portrayal of the Singapore River area. Singapore River V serves as a heartfelt tribute to a vanishing past, preserving the essence of old Singapore before urban transformation. The painting reflects Lim Tze Peng’s deep emotional connection to the city’s heritage, making it both a visual and cultural statement on memory and change.
About the artist
Born in Singapore in 1921, Lim Tze Peng is one of Singapore’s most significant artists and a living legend. Renowned for his Chinese ink creations of post-independence Singapore, he also practices Chinese calligraphy. Alongside local and international exhibitions, his masterpieces are exhibited in prominent Singapore institutions and part of many prestigious collections. Lim has been bestowed several awards including the Special Prize at the Commonwealth Art Exhibition in England in 1977 and the prestigious Cultural Medallion in Singapore in 2003. In May 2012, he broke records with the sale of his works at a Christies auction in Hong Kong.