Cover Remembering Lim Tze Peng (1921-2025)
Remembering Lim Tze Peng (1921-2025)
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Over the years, Tatler Singapore has had the privilege of chronicling Lim Tze Peng’s extraordinary journey. As we bid farewell to him, we look back at the remarkable life and enduring legacy of the artist who captured Singapore’s spirit like no other
Singapore has lost a national treasure.
Lim Tze Peng, one of the nation’s most celebrated artists, passed away on February 3 at the age of 103. His passing marks the end of an era, but his enduring legacy—immortalised in ink, pigment, and the enduring poetry of brush and paper—lives on.
For over seven decades, Lim captured the soul of a changing nation. Celebrated for his evocative Chinese ink and calligraphy artworks, he often immortalised the vanishing landscapes of old Singapore—Chinatown, the Singapore River, and kampungs—rendered with a unique blend of traditional brushwork and contemporary abstraction. His paintings were more than visual records; they were love letters to a rapidly changing homeland.
Though he never painted for fame, Lim’s extraordinary contributions did not go unnoticed; they have been recognised at the highest levels. In 2003, he received the Cultural Medallion at age 82, and in 2016, at 95, became the oldest Singaporean to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Lim’s works have also broken records. In 2012, Singapore River Scene (1978) sold for $101,800 at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong–establishing a new auction record for the highest price achieved by a living Singaporean artist’s work at auction.
Yet, despite all his accolades and accomplishments, the veteran artist remained humble and grounded until the very end.
A legacy of inspiration
Over the years, Tatler Singapore has had the privilege of featuring Lim Tze Peng in numerous interviews and profiles, each encounter revealing new facets of his artistry and character. In 2018, he welcomed us into his Telok Kurau home for an intimate conversation over breakfast and offered our readers a rare glimpse into his daily life, artistic philosophy, and enduring commitment to capturing the spirit of old Singapore through ink and brush.
Despite turning 100 in 2021, Lim showed no signs of slowing down. That year, it was only fitting that Tatler paid an in-depth tribute to the artist—tracing his evolution from a farmer and school principal to a self-taught painter and ultimately, a cultural icon whose works have found their place in the National Gallery and beyond. The feature also delved into key moments of his life, including his early plein air sketches of the Singapore River and Chinatown, and his later breakthroughs with abstract calligraphy—what he called hutuzi, or “muddled calligraphy.”
Above Released in 2021, “Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100” captured the life and work of Singapore’s oldest living artist
Released in 2021, “Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100” captured the life and work of Singapore’s oldest living artist
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2021 also marked the release of Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100, a commemorative book filled with essays, archival photographs, and Lim’s most significant works that chronicled his centennial journey. The book’s author Woon Tai Ho shared: “The book is not just about Lim Tze Peng, the artist, but also Lim Tze Peng, the man—and what we can all learn from this 100-year-old man.”
In case you missed it: “I hope my art can inspire a new generation to treasure their past”: 100-year-old artist Lim Tze Peng on his artistic journey
Tatler reconnected with Lim once again in 2023 on the occasion of his solo exhibition at Ode to Art gallery. Titled From Then to Now: Capturing Life, the showcase featured 50 of his works—powerful, large-scale ink pieces centred on memories of the Singapore of yesteryear. During our interview, Lim spoke candidly about his desire to keep experimenting, his views on abstraction, and his deep-rooted connection to nature and memory. We were struck by his unrelenting creative energy. Thoughtful, humble, and ever curious, it was clear that the then-102-year-old artist, who even in his twilight years, remained guided by discipline and the conviction to lead a simple and low-profile life. When asked what he wants to be remembered for, the artist replied, “I’ve never cared or thought about that…just to be remembered for how much I loved drawing and that I was very dedicated to it.”
The 'Songs of the River' exhibition at Ode to Art in January (Photo: Ode to Art)
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Most recently, in January 2025, Tatler had the privilege of celebrating Lim’s final exhibition, Songs of the River, which opened on January 8 at Ode to Art gallery. A deeply poetic and moving tribute to the Singapore River—a subject the artist had devoted much of his life to documenting—the exhibition featured some of his most evocative works to date. In fact, it was so warmly received by local collectors that most of the works shown were sold within weeks of its January opening.
In what would become our last encounter with the legendary artist, Lim once again impressed upon us his enduring passion for capturing the soul of a place through brush and ink. “I want my paintings to become a record of the past, attain historical value, and serve as a recollection of Singapore’s yesteryears for the people of Singapore,” he shared. “I am particularly interested in the Singapore River, which has a lot of historical value.”
Above Jazz Chong with Lim Tze Peng. Having represented the artist for nearly two decades, she was one of his closest collaborators in the later years of his career
Jazz Chong with Lim Tze Peng. Having represented the artist for nearly two decades, she was one of his closest collaborators in the later years of his career
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We also spoke to Jazz Chong, owner of Ode to Art gallery and one of Lim’s closest collaborators in the later years of his career. Having represented the artist for nearly two decades, Chong’s respect and admiration for him was palpable. “Lim Tze Peng’s artwork is really like a window for us to see the past and how charming Singapore was,” she reflected. “When I look at (his) artwork, there is always a sense of nostalgia in a very beautiful way and there’s also a sense of contemporariness.”
To her, Lim’s works were not merely historical documents—they carried an emotional resonance that transcended time, speaking to the young and old alike. “At 103 years old, Mr Lim embodies courage, character, and continuity,” added Chong in admiration. “His art serves as a bridge between history and modernity, connecting different generations and inspiring audiences to appreciate Singapore’s rich heritage.”
Above Even until the age of 103, Lim remained steadfast in his devotion to art
Even until the age of 103, Lim remained steadfast in his devotion to art
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A lifelong devotion to art
Lim painted until the very end.
Despite the frailties of age, he remained steadfast in his devotion to his craft. Even when his movements slowed and standing for long periods became difficult, he continued to create—often working from a seated position, brush in hand, eyes alight with focus. Painting was not merely an act of creation for him; it was an extension of his being, a daily ritual that connected him to his memories, his city, and his enduring purpose. Each stroke he laid down in his final years carried with it the same vitality, reverence, and spirit that had defined his career for decades.
Lim Tze Peng’s passing is a profound loss, but his life’s work remains a beacon. As former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once remarked in a Facebook post, Lim embodied the Chinese saying, “you’re never too old to learn”—or, in his case, too old to accomplish something. “He is certainly an inspiration to all of us to continue to push our limits, no matter how old we are.”
As we bid farewell to a true pioneer, we celebrate not only the artist whose iconic brushstrokes captured the soul of a nation, but also his legacy that is a celebration of Singapore itself: its history, its transformation, and its enduring spirit.
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