About the artwork
circa 1970 -This work by Lim Tze Peng depicts the Singapore River at sunset, with a number of workers finishing their daily tasks and the city beginning to wind down. A strong sense of nostalgia is imbued in the work through the washes of purple and reddish brown Lim uses, which generate feelings of tranquility that the end of the day brings. Bold lines clearly define the forms of the architecture, people and bumboats, a familiar sight along the river ever today. Lim’s artistic skill clearly highlights the beauty found in scenes of old Singapore, and is an exceptional rendering of a bygone era that has made him a living legend.
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.