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.Fascinated by boats and ships, Lim frequently features them in his works in various settings, be it singly or in groups. Reflecting his reputation and background as a calligrapher, Lim uses fine linework to detail the magnificent sailing ships, tall masts and elaborate ropes.
