Through the Eyes of Lim Khim Katy Asia Fine Art
Lim Khim Katy, a 33-year old artist from Vietnam, has created oil paintings that convey sadness, boredom, hardship and stoic resignation through images of ordinary people who float on the surface of her canvases without reference to time or place. Except for the iconic conical hat worn by the Vietnamese, these men, women and children could be from any underdeveloped country. Seen eating, sleeping or just standing around these folks are painted with deep empathy for their plight in life.
On show at the Taipa Houses Museum in Macau this summer, these works from her solo exhibition 'Through the Eyes of Lim Khim Katy' are now on display at Asia Fine Art gallery.
Using a palate knife rather than brushes, Lim layers on oil paint and almost sculpts these realistic portraits, which are unanchored by the earth or sky. Many have half of the painting stark white, although finely textured. 'Poor people do not know how to be rich. When they are eating or sleeping the pain goes away,' Katy says.
Everyone seems to be fed but the groundlessness and the whiteness communicate their emptiness. Several portraits are covered with Chinese-type seals, half covering the faces, yet leaving the luminous and nearly tearful eyes staring at the viewer. Many of the people seem to be in the rain. 'I read about the typhoons and imagine the people without houses, food, electricity,' Katy says. 'They are confused but they are still looking for a better future.' She worked on the series of 21 paintings for three years.
'The painting Deep Sleep already has prompted several inquiries,' says Sidney Cowell, the gallery's managing director. It depicts two women in nightdresses, sound asleep. There's nothing above or below them, just blue and white. Most of Katy's paintings have this half-and-half effect, giving the figures prominence and definition.