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.Believing that a good foundation in calligraphy is essential to the mastery of Chinese brush painting, Lim spent decades perfecting the art of calligraphy, assiduously studying ancient Chinese calligraphic masterpieces. His skill is evident in the harmonious balance between ink and void. The phrase ‘gan ru yi’ (甘如饴) describes one’s willingness to endure hardship for something worthwhile.
