In 2018, when Lim Tze Peng was just two years shy of 100 years old, he was still creating large paintings that were more than one metre long.
However, due to his declining strength, he admitted that he could no longer hold large brushes such as a broom. This hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his craft.
Now at the grand age of 103, art has taken on even greater meaning for Mr Lim.
Photo courtesy of National Gallery Singapore.
It is art that has given him longevity, said the man who is known as Singapore’s oldest living artist, and it is because of his art that he rarely falls ill.
Likening it his daily exercise, he continues to paint and write calligraphy every day.
After decades of practising his craft, Mr Lim will be honoured in his first-ever solo show at the National Gallery Singapore (NGS).
From now till 23 March 2025, the exhibition titled ‘Becoming Lim Tze Peng’ will showcase more than 50 of his works dating back to 1946.
Photo courtesy of National Gallery Singapore.
Mr Lim is no stranger to the limelight.
His works have graced prestigious institutions such as the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum Art Gallery, and the Cultural Medallion Award winner has even rubbed shoulders with dignitaries such as Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong, Mr Goh Chok Tong, and Singapore’s former presidents.
But beneath the awards and accolades, you’ll find a man who has remained humble and unwavering in his dedication to art.
“Creating art has been my lifelong passion, and I have devoted myself to it wholeheartedly,” he said. “I am very excited to see a variety of my artworks from nearly 80 years displayed in this exhibition.”
Mr Lim’s journey with art began humbly.
Born on 28 September 1921 to a housewife and rubber planter, he grew up in Pasir Ris as the eldest of seven siblings.
It was at Chung Cheng High School that he honed his calligraphy — the medium that would influence his work till today.
“My paintings are made up of lines, and where do lines come from? Calligraphy,” said the self-taught artist, who started painting in watercolour and oil but later switched to Chinese ink and brush.
Lim Tze Peng (left) painting outdoors, 1950. Source: Prabook
However, becoming a full-time artist was not in the cards for young Mr Lim.
At 24 years old, he found love in Soh Siew Lay, with whom he would eventually have six children.
Most of his time went into supporting the family with his stable income as a teacher, while art became, what we now call, a ‘side-hustle’ he pursued when he could.
“Sundays were beautiful because I really enjoyed those trips to the kampungs and Chinatown just to paint,” said Mr Lim to The Straits Times (ST) in a 1995 interview.
He threw himself into painting whenever he had the time, squeezing in artist trips to Malaya, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia in the 1960s.
He also participated in several group shows.
When he retired from teaching in 1981, he embraced art full-time, at last following his calling at age 60.
More than 40 years later, Mr Lim now has a solo exhibition at one of the largest museums in Singapore.
At ‘Becoming Lim Tze Peng’, visitors can explore his nostalgic depictions of well-loved everyday scenes in Singapore, or get transported to Southeast Asia and beyond through the artist’s landscape drawings.
Yet perhaps most striking are his bold, expressive ink works.
Photo courtesy of National Gallery Singapore.
Reflecting on his long career, Mr Lim can safely say that his work is on par with international artists. He said:
I have dedicated my entire life to the craft and I’m not boasting, but my works have reached an international standard. I’m very happy and satisfied with what I am creating.
“I would like to thank National Gallery Singapore for the opportunity to showcase my work at the state level and their efforts to champion art from Singapore,” added Mr Lim, who hopes that visitors can connect with his art on a deeper level.
As a centenarian who has lived a full life, Mr Lim can be looked to as a source of wisdom and inspiration.
He never gave up on his dreams even when he had to put them on pause.
Mr Lim urges the younger generation of artists to embody a similar grit and perseverance — to “keep practising and honing your [their] craft” while remembering their roots.
But perhaps most importantly of all, he leaves a heartfelt reminder that “to be a good artist, you first have to be a good human being”.
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Featured image courtesy of National Gallery Singapore.
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