Born in 1923, Lim Tze Peng is mainly a self-taught artist. Ink paintings and calligraphic works are predominantly featured in his work, though there is a small collection of early 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. He was awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2003.Having grown up in a ‘kampong’ (Malay for village), Lim is attracted by the idyllic life and landscape of rural communities. After his retirement in the 1980s, Lim was able to travel widely to paint his favourite spots before urbanization changed the face of the land. His mastery of the ink medium is evident in the delicate lines and well-controlled ink washes.
