The Family

This painting 一个家庭 / The Family (1954) is related to an existing work in the Collection – a smaller collage, Woes of the Poor (1953) by Lim, dated the year prior to this painting. Lim’s two works share an essential compositional template, the family trio is composed in the midst of a flourishing tropical garden, set in somewhat familiar poses. The female mother-figure is depicted on the ground stretched out, reclining on one hand. The central male father-figure is slightly hunched over– again in a familiar pose. Lim’s central figure is draped with a white loin cloth, his attire. The shadow of labour hangs over Lim’s male figure – a large cangkul (spade) occupies our sight in the foreground.

See related items

Family planning booklet

Family note

Royal Family (A)

Chinese Family