Born in 1923, Lim Tze Peng is largely a self-taught artist. In his oeuvre, ink paintings and calligraphic works feature prominently, although there is a small number of oils, watercolours and drawings. He created a unique style of ink painting using rich brush and tonal details, and this approach is often regarded as a manifestation of the Nanyang Style in the ink medium. Lim, a school principal until his retirement in the early 1980s, was awarded the Cultural Medallion by the Singapore government in 2003.After his retirement, Lim often went with fellow artists on painting trips around the region. Bali, an island which had mesmerized many artists, likewise attracted him. In ‘Bali Seaside’ boats and the sea which have remained among Lim’s favourite subjects throughout the years, are painted with expressive brushstrokes. Strong diagonals created by the vividly coloured tall flags enliven the composition.
