RIGHT
The Pink Rose
c.1955–1960
Pastel on paper,
46 x 30.5 cm.
Collection of the
artist’s family
©Family of
Lim Cheng Hoee | asian artists
One of Singapore’s pioneer watercolourists, Lim Cheng Hoe was largely
a self-taught artist, who co-founded the Singapore Watercolour Society
PaintingSingapore
EXHIBITIO NExhibition
Details
DATES
2 August 2018 –
9 June 2019
TIME
10am–7pm (Sat–
Thur); 10am–9pm (Fri)
LOCATION
National Gallery
Singapore, City Hall
Wing, Level 4
PRICING
General admission
URL
http://www.nationalgallery.
sg/exhibitions/lim-
cheng-hoe-painting-
singaporeLim Cheng Hoe (1912–1979) was one of the
inest watercolourists in Singapore, recognised
as one of the country’s pioneer artists,
alongside Cheong Soo Pieng (1917–1983) and
Chen Chong Swee (1910–1985).
Born in Amoy, Lim moved to Singapore in
1919, in accordance with his father’s wishes,
to receive an English-language education at
Rales Institution (1928–1932). During this
period, he studied also painting from artist
Richard Walker, the irst art inspector of
schools (1930–1932). Later, although he was
inancially unable to further his studies at
the Royal Academy in London, Lim taught
himself art by reading publications such
as Artist and International Studio, and by
interacting with other watercolour artists
during weekly Sunday painting sessions at
various areas in the city centre, especially the
Singapore River. hese activities eventually
led to the establishment of the Singapore
Watercolour Society in August 1969.
Lim’s dedication towards plein-air
painting imbued in his landscape paintings
a sense of place and local identity for
Singapore – a Singapore that was in the
throes of urbanisation and industrialisation.
Lim documented these subjects around him
through motifs such as kampongs (villages),
boat traic on the Singapore River, hilltop
views, ishing villages, land reclamation
and construction sites, as the country
moved towards modernisation during a
period of decolonisation, self-governance
and independence.
Beginning with the early days of his practice
in the 1930s, this exhibition features over 60
artworks, sketches and archival materials that
showcase Lim’s inspiring journey towards
becoming Singapore’s leading plein-air
watercolour artist. he exhibition also reveals
the lesser-known aspects of Lim’s practice,
including his experiments with a range of
subjects and mediums, from oil, ink and still
life, to portraits in pastel and chalk, as well as
exploratory works with unusual brushwork
and colours.
Says curator Qinyi Lim, “his exhibition
is a celebration of the life, dedication and
practice of Lim Cheng Hoe as a largely self-
taught artist. In the exhibition, we draw deeply
from his diaries as a way of providing an entry
point for visitors to engage with the artistic
language that he learnt and experimented
through his time under Richard Walker and
subsequent informal education.”