‘Old school’ Singapore artists Lim Tze Peng and Hong Zhu’an embrace technology with virtual exhibitions
- Lim Tze Peng’s ‘A Century of Memories’ featuring 20 new works of Singapore scenes will launch online on September 28 as fears of physical shows persist
- Already live, ‘Becoming and Being’ by Hong Zhu’an will run until September 17
Singaporean artist Lim Tze Peng will turn 100 years old on September 28 according to his Chinese traditional age. He is celebrating the milestone with the launch of his first virtual exhibition, A Century of Memories, in collaboration with Singapore’s Ode to Art gallery, featuring 20 new works of the city state’s scenes which he painted from memory.
Born in 1921, Lim is famous for capturing Singapore’s changing cityscape by blending traditional Chinese ink-painting techniques with scenes from contemporary city life. His works of old buildings in Chinatown and along the Singapore River that have since been demolished – victims of the city’s rapid modernisation – have resonated with buyers worldwide.
In 2012, the self-taught artist made headlines when his Chinese ink painting Singapore River Scene sold for HK$620,000 (about US$80,000 / S$102,000 at the time) at Christie’s Hong Kong, the first time a work by a living Singaporean artist had fetched more than S$100,000 at an international auction.
“During lockdown I spent a lot of time working on my painting and calligraphy – discipline is important to my craft. It’s helped me keep a sense of normalcy,” says Lim via email.