Lim Tze Peng
Remembering Lim Tze Peng’s art legacy (1921-2025)
Educational & career background:
Educated in Chung Cheng High School. In 1949, Lim Tze Peng was the primary school teacher at Xin Min School. 1951-1981. Since then, he became a full time artist. Lim Tze Peng was renowned for his Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy. His artistic journey was marked by a deep commitment to documenting Singapore’s evolving landscapes and cultural heritage.
Artworks & Exhibition:
Lim Tze Peng is best known for his evocative ink paintings of old Chinatown and the Singapore River, capturing scenes of daily life and architectural details that have since transformed due to urban development. His “Old Singapore” series, initiated in 1981, comprises ink paintings depicting various locales such as Teochew Street, Amoy Street, Chinatown, Elgin Bridge, and shop houses. This extensive body of work serves as a valuable visual record of Singapore’s changing cityscape.
In 2000, He participated in an artists’ residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, where he created a series of paintings capturing the essence of Parisian landmarks and street scenes. Lim Tze Peng later donated 45 of these works to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA).
Throughout his illustrious career, Lim held numerous solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Notable exhibitions include his first solo show in 1970, the “Singapore Artists Art Exhibition” in Moscow in 1978, and his solo exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in 2009, making him the first Singaporean artist to achieve this honor.
Achievements & Recognition:
In 2012, he became the first living Singaporean artist to have a work sold for more than $100,000 at an auction.
Lim’s contributions to the arts were recognized with several accolades, including the Public Administration Medal (PPA) in 1963, the Special Prize at the Commonwealth Art Exhibition in England in 1977, the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1981, and the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) in 2016.
In his later years, Lim remained an active artist, continuing to create and exhibit his works. In 2021, at the age of 100, he held a solo exhibition titled “Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100” at The Arts House in Singapore. In 2025, National Gallery Singapore celebrated Lim Tze Peng by hosting a solo exhibition “Becoming Lim Tze Peng” for the public.
To remember Lim Tze Peng’s art legacy, Asia Art Collective is proud to present Lim Tze Peng’s artworks. For Lim Tze Peng’s art collection, please enquire with us. We will provide free art consultation and art market analysis.
About Asia Art Collective:
Asia Art Collective was established in 2013. We strive to provide high-quality services in the fields of art consultancy, art marketing, art collecting, publishing, as well as to represent artists, commissioning artworks and provide professional art courses.
Asia Art Collective has organised over 50 visual art exhibitions and events, promoting artists from all over the world, representing artists with strong artistic skills and distinct personal style. Artworks are also professionally curated by Asia Art Collective consultants based on technique and style.
Contact Us:
Phone: +65 6255 0711 / 6733 2155
Email: info@visualartscentre.sg
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