“Supporting our local art scene encourages creativity within our next generations, and increases Singapore’s visibility on the global art scene,” Chong explains. “We have a very interesting, mixed heritage of Chinese, Southeast Asian and colonial influences, so our point of view is unique and has the power to resonate with people around the globe.”

Ode To Art represents a very wide selection of artists, both local and international, from emerging to blue-chip artists, working with a variety of techniques and mediums. The gallery works with private collectors, homeowners, corporate and hospitality clients, and on a larger scale, it also works with architects and developers for public art projects.

One of the first local artists the gallery has worked closely with is contemporary Chinese ink artist Hong Zhu An, whose contemporary abstract art have been collected by museums all over the world.

“He has the discipline of the old Chinese masters, painting and writing calligraphy every day to achieve perfection in every stroke,” says Chong on the China-born Singaporean artist. “We have become friends over the years, I have collected his works, they are hanging in my home and are very meaningful to me.”

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Hong is one example of the close relationships that Chong has spent years cultivating with the artists represented by Ode To Art—and these connections are valuable when it comes to helping clients find just the work they are looking for.

Another local artist who is close to the gallery is Lim Tze Peng, who at 100 is Singapore’s oldest living artist. Both Lim and Ode To Art have been working together for many years, and the gallery has organised a number of his solo exhibitions.

“One of the reasons why I admire Mr Lim Tze Peng is his strong ethics. He often says that to be a good artist, you need to be a good man, and he does not differentiate between the two,” Chong expounds. “His family and his art are the most important things in his life, and he dedicates the same level of care, attention, and love to his artistic practice as to everyone in his large family.”

From his calligraphy works to his abstract art, Lim’s artistic journey is a remarkable one. He became a full-time artist at age 60, when he retired as a teacher and school principal, and only found recognition in his 80s. He was awarded the Cultural Medallion, the country’s highest arts award, at the age of 82 in 2003. He became the oldest Singaporean at 95 to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at the National Day Awards in 2016.

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“I am very serious when I paint. I go through detailed planning and give it deep thought when I create every painting. My hope is that the finished artwork can achieve an exceptional level of artistic conception,” Lim tells us in Mandarin. “In the beginning, I was painting images but I slowly ventured into abstract forms later on. In other words, I leveraged on calligraphy in my development of an abstract art form.”

The way Lim’s calligraphy and his paintings inspire each other is impressive, Chong shares. “The use of bright colours and the bold strokes we have seen him developing in his paintings over the past few years come directly from his experimentation with calligraphy. The way these two practices, that are usually thought of as distinct, merge in his work is truly unique.”

Lim offers this poetic insight: “Sometimes in a big painting, I think of being bold and unrestrained, like when I paint waves rolling around in the imagery. Most of my paintings are dynamic just like rhythm and melody in music. Art should be lively and arouse emotions in the people who look at them. Every good artwork should speak to people.”

Some of Chong’s favourite pieces of Lim’s work depict Singapore scenes. Old Singapore Scene, for example, is an early work from the 1970s. “This was painted outdoors, in the streets, of the scene before him—and it offers a look at our way of life back then. You can feel the bustle of the street, hear the rickshaws driving past, and smell the food as it is being cooked. It is so alive!”

Another favourite is Bustling Streets of Chinatown, which was painted in the 2000s, when Lim could no longer paint outdoors and started working in the studio. His works also took on a much larger scale such as this 2m by 2.3m painting. “The perspective is slightly different—the artist and the viewer are at a distance with the streets. The sepia tones evoke a feeling of nostalgia for something that may be gone, but that stays with us thanks to his works.”

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One of Lim’s most recent works is Brushes and Ink, which was painted a few months ago. “It focuses on his life as an artist and his time in the studio. It offers a peek behind the scenes and an invitation into his private space. It is an intimate work, in which Mr Lim opens up and tells us about himself,” shares Chong. “When you know how much painting means to him, it carries a lot of emotion and affection. It is what he has dedicated his entire life to, and he often says that he wishes to be an artist in the next life too, to be able to keep painting.”

This is perhaps why, to Lim, “time is the most important, more important than money”. He elaborates, “People in the past say that our lives are short but art can last a thousand years—and I agree. When I have energy, I do not dare to skive and always write and paint. I am born for the arts and my whole life is devoted to the arts. I want to create good work not only for people of this generation, but also those of future generations by exhibiting them in museums.”

Lim’s dedication to pursuing his craft is such an inspiration—and this is why his works resonate with many, art lovers or collectors alike.

To start collecting Singapore art, Chong says that  “it’s important to learn about the artists. There are a lot of opportunities to do so, in museums, art fairs or galleries. Understanding your taste is the first step, and once you know what you like, approach the galleries, where expert art consultants will be able to advise you.

“It can be a fun process, where you get to see more of the artists you like and may even discover new ones to enjoy and collect.”

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