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.The island of Bali was a source of inspiration for Lim, as it was for artists before and after him. As one who enjoys painting on the spot, Lim uses in Chinese ink as the medium allows him to capture a scene with speed and immediacy. From a higher ground, Lim paints a picture of a tranquil Bali countryside using light ink wash and fast, sketchy lines.
