b. 1921 - d. 2025

Lim Tze Peng (28 September 1921 – February 2025)
A Singaporean National Treasure in Ink and Spirit

Lim Tze Peng, born on 28 September 1921 in Singapore, was one of the nation's most revered artists and a living legend in his time. Known for his masterful Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy, Lim's works captured the soul of post-independence Singapore. He passed away at the age of 103, leaving behind a monumental artistic legacy.

Despite being born and educated in Singapore, Lim immersed himself deeply in traditional Chinese philosophy, art, and culture. His lifelong dedication to the Chinese ink tradition allowed him not only to master the form but to innovate within it, fusing age-old techniques with a distinctly contemporary spirit. His ink works, though deeply rooted in tradition, are known for their expressive vitality and modern resonance.

Lim began his artistic journey in the 1950s, but it was in the early 1980s that his iconic ink drawings and paintings of Chinatown and the Singapore River emerged. These works documented the rapid transformation of Singapore's urban landscape, preserving scenes of kampongs and bustling river life before modern redevelopment swept them away. Through these pieces, Lim offered both a nostalgic reflection and a cultural commentary, showing how Singapore’s multicultural environment allowed artists to engage with diverse influences without being confined by rigid traditionalism or fleeting cosmopolitan trends.

In the 1990s, Lim shifted his creative focus towards Chinese calligraphy. His later works displayed a matured artistic vision characterized by bold strokes and emotional intensity. As he once described, his approach evolved from “I see and I paint” to “I reflect and I paint.” His calligraphy took on a raw, almost visceral energy—marked by swift, decisive brushwork and an invigorating tension that redefined the art form.

Throughout his long and illustrious career, Lim held numerous solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. His artworks are housed in esteemed institutions such as the Singapore Art Museum and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, as well as in prominent private and public collections worldwide.

Lim received many accolades for his contributions to the arts, including the Special Prize at the Commonwealth Art Exhibition in England in 1977. In 2003, he was awarded Singapore’s highest artistic honor—the Cultural Medallion. In 2012, his works broke records at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong, further cementing his status as an internationally recognized master.

At the time of his passing, Lim Tze Peng was Singapore’s oldest living and active artist. His enduring legacy lies not only in the beauty of his brushstrokes but in his unwavering commitment to artistic excellence and cultural memory. He leaves behind a body of work that continues to inspire generations of artists and art lovers in Singapore and beyond.

林子平（1921年9月28日－2月 2025年）
新加坡国家艺术瑰宝，水墨精神典范

林子平，1921年9月28日出生于新加坡，是新加坡最具代表性的艺术家之一，也是本地艺术界一位传奇人物。他以水墨画与书法著称，尤其擅长描绘新加坡独立后城市变迁的风貌。他于2025年安详辞世，享年103岁，留下丰厚的艺术遗产与深远的文化影响。

尽管在新加坡出生和受教育，林子平始终扎根于中华文化与哲学。他日复一日地勤于笔耕墨耘，苦练技艺，最终在传统水墨艺术中脱颖而出，并勇于创新，成功将传统形式注入当代精神，使作品焕发出时代感和普世吸引力。他的作品虽源于传统，却以大胆笔触、自由构图和现代视角著称，为水墨艺术开拓出新境界。

自1950年代起踏上艺术之路，林子平在1980年代创作了许多著名的牛车水与新加坡河水墨画，见证并记录了国家城市化进程中的重要转折。这些作品不仅是对失落风貌的留念，更是对新加坡多元文化的深刻反思。他透过画笔传达出艺术不必困于守旧，也不应流于表面化的国际主义，而是在本土语境中汲取多元灵感，形成独特表达。

1990年代起，他进一步探索书法创作，其风格亦随之转变。他曾说：“以前是‘看见而画’，如今是‘反思而画’。” 他的书法作品从中可见一种成熟与突破，笔势迅猛果断、气势磅礴，展现出一种充满张力的艺术生命力，令人震撼。

林子平一生举办过无数次本地与国际个展与联展，其作品被新加坡美术馆、南洋艺术学院等机构收藏，也深受海内外收藏家的喜爱。1977年，他荣获英联邦美术展特别奖；2003年，获颁新加坡最高艺术荣誉——文化奖章。2012年，他的作品在香港佳士得拍卖中创下高价纪录，声誉蜚声国际。

在逝世前，林子平是新加坡最长寿且仍活跃创作的艺术家。他的艺术生命不仅体现在作品中，更在于他一生不懈追求真善美的精神。他的画笔勾勒出时代的记忆，也激励着新一代艺术家在传统与现代之间找到属于自己的表达方式。