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.Bali, which has fascinated many artists, is likewise an attraction for Lim and he returned many times. Besides painting the life of the locals and their festive celebrations, the lush natural landscape of the island is a subject frequently explored by him. Lim’s trees are often seen as guardians and here, as a protector of the devotees beneath its overarching branches.
