About the artwork
In the 1990s, Lim Tze Peng moved away from depicting scenes of Singapore’s cityscape, and began to focus instead on calligraphy. In this abstract work, Lim expertly uses brushstrokes and colour to produce an exhilarating sense of energy. The quick and bold brush strokes reflects an aggressive swiftness that generates a feeling of movement and raw energy, while the contrast between warm yellow and bold black strokes create an invigorating tension that imbues the work with vibrancy. Through his artistic mastery, Lim manages to make this abstract work come alive before the viewer, bringing a contemporary feel to the historic tradition of ink paintings.
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.