With recent Artist Lim Tze Peng's passing, is now the right time to collect his artworks?

Lim Tze Peng
lim tze peng art legacy Asia Art Collective & Visual Arts Centre

Lim Tze Peng 林子平

With recent artist Lim Tze Peng's passing, is now the right time to collect his artworks?

Singaporean artist Lim Tze Peng passed away on Feb 3, 2025, 6pm, at the age of 103. Notably Lim Tze Peng was the Cultural Medallion recipient in 2003. He was born on September 28, 1921, in a kampung at Pasir Ris, Singapore.

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (View of Singapore River)_67x132cm
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (View of Singapore River)_67x132cm (Asia Art Collective's collection)

Educational & career background:

Educated in Chung Cheng High School. In 1949, Lim Tze Peng was the primary school teacher at Xin Min School. 1951-1981. Since then, he became a full time artist. Lim Tze Peng was renowned for his Chinese ink paintings and calligraphy. His artistic journey was marked by a deep commitment to documenting Singapore’s evolving landscapes and cultural heritage.

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork ( A Busy Day at Quay_120x120cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork ( A Busy Day at Quay_120x120cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

Artworks & Exhibition:

Lim Tze Peng is best known for his evocative ink paintings of old Chinatown and the Singapore River, capturing scenes of daily life and architectural details that have since transformed due to urban development. His “Old Singapore” series, initiated in 1981, comprises ink paintings depicting various locales such as Teochew Street, Amoy Street, Chinatown, Elgin Bridge, and shop houses. This extensive body of work serves as a valuable visual record of Singapore’s changing cityscape. 

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Fruit Stores at the Market_67x66cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Fruit Stores at the Market_67x66cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

In 2000, He participated in an artists’ residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, where he created a series of paintings capturing the essence of Parisian landmarks and street scenes. Lim Tze Peng later donated 45 of these works to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). 

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Street Market Wholesalers_ 67x67cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Street Market Wholesalers_ 67x67cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

Throughout his illustrious career, Lim held numerous solo and group exhibitions both locally and internationally. Notable exhibitions include his first solo show in 1970, the “Singapore Artists Art Exhibition” in Moscow in 1978, and his solo exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in 2009, making him the first Singaporean artist to achieve this honor. 

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (The River Runs Red by Yue Fei_267x159cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (The River Runs Red by Yue Fei_267x159cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (LP-Autumn Morning_144x360.5cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (LP-Autumn Morning_144x360.5cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

Achievements & Recognition:

In 2012, he became the first living Singaporean artist to have a work sold for more than $100,000 at an auction. 

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Happiness_94.5x87.5cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Happiness_94.5x87.5cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

Lim’s contributions to the arts were recognized with several accolades, including the Public Administration Medal (PPA) in 1963, the Special Prize at the Commonwealth Art Exhibition in England in 1977, the Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1981, and the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Meritorious Service Medal) in 2016. 

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Autumn Morning by Xu Hun_250.5x211.5cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (Autumn Morning by Xu Hun_250.5x211.5cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork ( Abstract Calligraphy_ 148x126cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork ( Abstract Calligraphy_ 148x126cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

In his later years, Lim remained an active artist, continuing to create and exhibit his works. In 2021, at the age of 100, he held a solo exhibition titled “Soul of Ink: Lim Tze Peng at 100” at The Arts House in Singapore. In 2025, National Gallery Singapore celebrated Lim Tze Peng by hosting a solo exhibition “Becoming Lim Tze Peng” for the public.

Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (BD Tree Series_ 100x103cm)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (BD Tree Series_ 100x103cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (BD Tree Series_100x103cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)
Lim_Tze_Peng_artwork (BD Tree Series_100x103cm) (Asia Art Collective's collection)

To remember Lim Tze Peng’s art legacy, Asia Art Collective is proud to present Lim Tze Peng’s artworks. For Lim Tze Peng’s art collection, please enquire with us. We will provide free art consultation and art market analysis. 

About Asia Art Collective:

Asia Art Collective was established in 2013. We strive to provide high-quality services in the fields of art consultancy, art marketing, art collecting, publishing, as well as to represent artists, commissioning artworks and provide professional art courses.

Asia Art Collective has organised over 50 visual art exhibitions and events, promoting artists from all over the world, representing artists with strong artistic skills and distinct personal style. Artworks are also professionally curated by Asia Art Collective consultants based on technique and style.

Contact Us

Phone: +65 6255 0711 / 6733 2155
Email: info@visualartscentre.sg

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