Discover the Artistic Evolution of Singapore’s Oldest Living & Active Artist - 103 Year-Old Lim Tze Peng, at National Gallery Singapore

Hi Huneybees,

Artist Lim Tze Peng pictured at Becoming Lim Tze Peng. National Gallery Singapore, 2024.

Discover the artistic journey of 103-year-old Lim Tze Peng, Singapore’s oldest living artist, in Becoming Lim Tze Peng, National Gallery Singapore's first solo exhibition dedicated to this national icon. Open from 25 October 2024 to 23 March 2025, the exhibition offers over 50 works showcasing Lim's nostalgic scenes of everyday Singapore and grand landscapes from around the globe.

This bilingual exhibit includes selected pieces from Singapore’s public art collection, such as a Singapore River piece from The Istana, along with rare archival materials and two previously unseen videos of Lim in his studio. From his early works in 1946 to his most recent piece in 2023, the collection includes sketches, ink paintings, and calligraphy that illustrate Lim’s dedication to his craft and evolving artistic vision.

Still from video documentation of Lim Tze Peng at work, 2013. Commissioned by National Gallery Singapore.

Renowned for his innovative approach to ink painting and calligraphy, Lim has created his own distinctive style, hu tu zi (糊涂字), or “muddled calligraphy.” His work blends ancient practices with a contemporary edge, making him a vital figure in Singapore’s art history. As the fourth installment of the SG Artist series, Becoming Lim Tze Peng shines a light on a visionary artist whose creativity embodies Singapore’s post-independence spirit and modern innovation.

Highlighting the non-linear nature of Lim’s artistic evolution, the exhibition presents the

development of his practice through three thematic sections: From Dàpō to Xiǎopō, The World

Outside, and On My Own Grounds.

Installation view of “From Dàpō to Xiǎopō” section, Becoming Lim Tze Peng. National Gallery Singapore, 2024.

From Dàpō to Xiǎopō: Immerse in nostalgic scenes of heritage Singapore through the

eyes of Lim Tze Peng and learn of his local impact

Lim Tze Peng’s vibrant portrayals of everyday Singapore scenes are a central highlight of Becoming Lim Tze Peng. His favorite subjects — local landmarks like the Singapore River, Sultan Mosque, bustling coffee shops, and wet markets — evoke Singapore’s cultural heritage. In one section, you can explore the unique landscapes of heritage Singapore, referred to by older Chinese-speaking communities as Dàpō to Xiǎopō, stretching from Outram Park to Kampong Glam.

Lim Tze Peng. Singapore River II. c. 1976. Oil on canvas. 76.5 × 203 cm. Gift of the artist. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.

Lim Tze Peng. Singapore River (Coleman Bridge). 1979. Ink and colour on paper, 68 × 139 cm. Istana Art Collection.

Among the highlights are two iconic Singapore River paintings displayed side by side: Singapore River II (1976), an oil painting and the first of Lim’s donations to Singapore’s National Collection, and Singapore River (Coleman Bridge) (1979), an ink piece from the Istana Art Collection. These artworks, created three years apart, showcase Lim’s shift from oil to ink and invite viewers to compare his interpretations of the river in different mediums.

Lim Tze Peng. Hawker. c. 2013–2014. Ink and colour on paper. 96.5 × 96.5 cm.
Gift of the artist. Collection of Chung Cheng High School (Main).

Lim’s Hawker (2013-2014) offers a lively ink-and-color scene of a Singaporean market, fusing epigraphy, calligraphy, and painting. This recent work exemplifies his innovative blend of textured ink washes and broken brushstrokes, crafting a dynamic, harmonious portrayal of local life. Untitled (Blue Mosque) (c. Late 1970s) captures Sultan Mosque and its surroundings as Lim remembers them from the 1950s-60s, when he frequently sketched outdoors in Kampong Glam with peers, co-organizing some of the earliest public exhibitions of these neighborhoods.

Lim Tze Peng. Untitled (Blue Mosque). c. Late 1970. Ink and colour on paper, 68 × 68 cm.
Gift of Mr & Mrs Koh Seow Chuan. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.

Complementing the artwork are news clippings and rare photographs from the 1970s-1980s, some from Lim’s own archives, that mirror the perspectives of his paintings and capture key moments in his career. These archival materials provide a deeper look at Lim's connections to Singapore’s past.

Installation view of “The World Outside” section, Becoming Lim Tze Peng. National Gallery Singapore, 2024.

The World Outside: Lim Tze Peng’s creative drive and inspiration from his artistic

pursuits abroad

Beyond scenes of everyday Singapore, Lim Tze Peng found inspiration during artistic expeditions with fellow artists, extending his creative exploration into Southeast Asia and Europe. This section of Becoming Lim Tze Peng showcases works that capture these experiences and reveal his stylistic evolution.

Lim Tze Peng. Ponte Vecchio, Florence. 1996. Oil on canvas. 65 x 80cm.
Gift of the artist and family. Collection of Singapore Art Museum

Lim Tze Peng. Venice. 1996. Oil on canvas. 65 × 80cm.
Gift of the artist and family. Collection of Singapore Art Museum.

Two pieces from a 1996 European tour, Venice and Ponte Vecchio, Florence, mark Lim’s first encounters with Europe’s architectural and artistic heritage. Organized by the Society of Chinese Artists, this twenty-day tour exposed Lim to European art traditions. Venice captures the city’s vibrancy with loose, jagged brushwork that conveys movement, while Ponte Vecchio, Florence uses bold lines to contour the iconic bridge’s architecture, gradually fading to suggest depth — a technique rooted in Tang dynasty ink painting.

View of the Hills. 2000. Ink and colour on paper. 66.5 × 136 cm.
Gift of the artist. Collection of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

View of the Hills (2000) offers a glimpse of Saorge in Southern France, painted during Lim’s Paris residency with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Rather than focusing on architecture, this work spotlights natural landscapes, with undulating brushstrokes reminiscent of mountain scenes in Song dynasty ink paintings.

Lim Tze Peng. Sumatra. 1970. Oil on canvas, 76 × 101.8 cm.
Gift of Mandarin Art Galleries Pte Ltd. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.

Lim Tze Peng. Lake Toba. 1970. Oil on canvas, 60 × 75 cm.
Gift of the artist and family. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.

Closer to home, two 1970 oil paintings, Sumatra and Lake Toba, highlight Indonesian scenery from Lim’s travels with the Ten Men Group. During these expeditions, Lim and fellow artists immersed themselves in local cultures, interacting with villagers and exchanging ideas with local artists. Notably, the Indonesia trip in 1970 inspired Lim’s early exploration of Chinese ink painting, as shown in rare photographs capturing Lim painting with an ink brush by Lake Toba.

Through these artworks and archival materials, visitors can journey alongside Lim as he documented landscapes and cultures across Southeast Asia and Europe from the 1960s through the 2000s.

Installation view of “On My Own Grounds” section, Becoming Lim Tze Peng. National Gallery Singapore, 2024.

On My Own Grounds: Lim Tze Peng’s own rules and distinctive artistic style

The third theme of Becoming Lim Tze Peng explores Lim’s journey toward artistic freedom and his creation of a unique style rooted in his personal aesthetic and creative principles. Over his prolific career, Lim’s style evolved from realistic portrayals to expressive forms that blend various art mediums. This freedom led him to invent “hu tu zi” (糊涂字), or ‘muddled calligraphy,’ an innovative approach merging traditional calligraphy with abstract art.

Lim Tze Peng. [Not Titled] (Forest Path). 1985. Ink on paper. 52 × 80 cm.
Gift of Mr & Mrs Koh Seow Chuan. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.

One technique Lim developed was his use of negative space. In [Not Titled] (Forest Path) (1985), a horizontal composition with smooth and broken brush strokes, Lim captures a sense of distance and rhythm using only space, texture, and form inspired by banyan trees. Without any distinct form or color, the voids between branches and roots create visual tension, adding depth and guiding the viewer's eye.

Lim Tze Peng. Untitled (Calligraphy No. 7). 2008. Ink on paper. 151.4 × 85.7 cm.
Collection of Singapore Art Museum.

In Untitled (Calligraphy No. 7) (2008), Lim interprets a Tang dynasty poem by Meng Haoran with a blend of traditional Chinese cursive script and a contemporary aesthetic. This piece, composed of fluid and angular lines made with wet and dry brushwork, uses darker tones to convey weight and proximity, while lighter tones suggest distance. The empty spaces rhythmically balance the inked lines, creating visual dynamics similar to musical composition.

Lim’s personal doctrine on “A Good Painting,” recorded in one of his sketchbooks, highlights six guiding principles: aesthetics, locality, rhythm, and perception. Visitors can learn about these principles in the exhibition, gaining insight into Lim’s approach to recurring motifs.

Lim Tze Peng. Inroads No.1. 2006. Ink and colour on paper. 263 × 485.5 cm.
Collection of Singapore Art Museum.

One of the most notable works in the exhibit, Inroads No. 1 (2006), spans nearly five meters and showcases Lim’s mastery of ink and color. This monumental piece combines angular and curved lines with rhythmic transitions and dynamic movement. Last shown in Singapore in 2009, it later traveled to the National Art Museum of China and the Liu Haisu Art Museum, exemplifying Lim’s commitment to expanding the boundaries of traditional Chinese ink painting.

So, add this new exhibition to your calendar and take a nostalgic walk into Singapore's past.

Becoming Lim Tze Peng

Location: Level 4 Gallery, City Hall Wing, National Gallery Singapore 

Date: 25 October 2024 - 23 March 2025

Pricing: General Admission (Free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents)

For more information on the exhibition, please visit: www.nationalgallery.sg/BecomingLimTzePeng.

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Qixi Fest 2023: A Month of Celebrations with Free Qixi Boat Tours, Activities & Finale Carnival

Hi Huneybees,

Qixi Festival (七节夕) is one of my favorite Chinese festivals as it comes with a very beautiful story background, a myth of two star-crossed lovers - the Cowherd (Niu Lang) and Weaver Girl (Zhi Nu) The story is derived from actual constellation movements - Altair and Vega, which both characters represent. There are a few variations to the story but it mainly goes like this... 

The Origin

Niu Lang came across seven celestial fairies bathing in a lake one day. His companion, a cow (who is actually the God of Cattle, sent down to Earth for violating Heaven's laws) suddenly talked and helped him get acquainted with the fairies as a favor return as Niu Lang once saved him. 

It encouraged him to steal their clothes while they are in the water and so, the fairies got the youngest amongst them, Zhi Nu, to go out and retrieve their clothes. They both fell in love and she agreed to his request to marry her. So, she stayed back on earth and have two children with him.

However, when the Empress of Heaven found out that her daughter had married a mortal, she is enraged. She forces Zhi Nu to return to heaven, leaving Niu Lang heartbroken. The cow then told Niu Lang to kill itself and wear its hide. This magical hide would allow him to go to the heavens to find his wife. Niu Lang reluctantly does so and goes to heaven with his two children to find Zhi Nu. 

The Empress of Heaven was enraged and used a hairpin to rip a wide river (the Milky Way) in the heavens to separate Niu Lang and Zhi Nu on opposite sides, never to be able to meet each other.

The lovers and the kids were weeping so bitterly, that some magpies took pity on them. They flew up to heaven and formed a bridge across the Milky Way, allowing the pair to reunite. This moved the Empress of Heaven and so she allowed them to meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month of each lunar year.

Opening Address by Kim Mui Hoey Kuan Clan (金门会馆 )representative and Qixi Fest Director Lynn Wong

Reviving Qixi Festival

This story has since evolved as the Chinese version of Valentine's Day and me being the horrible romantic believed so, but actually, it's a day when women will pray to the stars for a good marriage and also for the skills and wisdom to make them good wives. Thus the alternate name for the day - Qi Qiao Festival (乞巧节), meaning begging for skills.

During this day, there will be activities to do, girls will show off their needlework and eat a Qixi pastry called Qiaoguo, made from flour, sesame, and sugar. In Singapore during the mid-1800s, this festival was said to be even grander than the Chinese New Year! They even had parties that go up to 10 days!

The women formed sisterhood organizations called Seven Sisters' Associations, or Milky Way Associations, to celebrate the festival together. Qixi Festival was marked by grand public displays of handicrafts in Chinatown - especially those that involved Majies (妈姐, domestic servants) from the Shuntak region - but these traditions have faded into obscurity since the 1970s as many Majies began to retire and returned to their hometown. 

This year the Qixi Festival will be celebrated on 22 August 2023 but to bring back the hype after being forgotten for more than 50 years, there will be a celebration over the weekends from 7 July to 20 August. Clan associations, and community partners led by cultural researcher Lynn Wong have banded together to revive the festival in Singapore. You can look forward to 7 weekends of talks, workshops, exhibitions, and tours leading up to a mega two-day carnival at Smith Street, Chinatown on August 19 and 20.  

Qixi Fest 2023 Celebrations

In conjunction with the festival, there will be a plethora of activities such as free boat tours and trails, storytelling sessions, crocheting classes, heritage cooking, and demonstration workshops. Most of the Qixi Fest programs are free with a few being ticketed, more details here.

Qixi Fest’s finale event on 19-20 August 2023 is a mega carnival featuring cooking demonstrations of lost heritage foods, special art-in-action showcases with practitioners such as Andy Yeo who will be painting lanterns on the spot, and cultural music performances including guzheng orchestral music and a martial arts display!

Qixi Fest River Cruise
Go back in history as you listen to stories of female migrants as well as the Kinmen people whose boats once plied the Singapore River on this free Qixi Fest River Cruise.

The boat tours are held in collaboration with clan association partner Kim Mui Hoey Kuan (金门会馆) and will take you past key sites and monuments beginning and ending at the Clarke Quay Jetty. Taking place every Sunday from now till 20 August 2023 from 8 pm to 8.30 pm in English, and 8.30 pm to 9 pm in Chinese. There are a total of 12 free boat tours along the Singapore River, accommodating up to 30 pax per timeslot.  Along the way, you can hear stories of yester years and enjoy the scenery along the Singapore River.

*Participants with tickets should arrive 15 minutes earlier for registration. 
Dates of Boat Tours: 9, 16, 23, 30 July & 6, 13 August (Sundays)
English Guided Tour: 8pm to 8.30pm 
Chinese Guided Tour: 8.30pm to 9pm
Book your spots here.

Talks and Family-Friendly Workshops
Themed (Her)Story there will be free talks, panel discussions & exhibitions to celebrate the female migrant pioneers who brought the festival to Singapore in the 19th century; shining light on factory women who toiled in the graveyard shift and also the (mis)representation of Samsui women in media and the arts.

You can also experience hands-on what it is like preparing for the celebration back in the day through heritage food preparation workshops such as Majie Chilli biscuits (辣椒饼), Tung Ann (炸枣), and Meizhou Yam Balls (芋头圆). You can also pick up some new skills like calligraphy, Hanfu craftsmanship, harmonica playing, outdoor sketching and even riddle-solving!

Tickets can be purchased here.

Make-A-Wish Magpie
Magpies play quite a major role in the Qixi mythology, thus the mascot for Qixi Fest 2023  - QiQi (七七or seven seven). You can pen your wishes on paper magpies and help form a “Magpie Bridge” which will be an art installation displayed at the finale carnival, as part of the 1,000 wishes programme.

For a better chance of having your wishes fulfilled, you can also crochet or customize your very own magpie crochet plushie and let your hopes and dreams take flight (even if you have zero experience in crocheting). Psst, you can also keep your wish a secret by “safeguarding” it in the magpie.

The crotcheting workshop takes place on 22 July at 2 pm and 4 pm. 
More details and tickets can be found here.

Gather your friends and families and help revive this lost celebration!

See you there at the workshops and finale carnival!

Look out for these yummy Qixi inspired drink at the carnival ~

For more on Qixi Festival 2023, go to https://www.qixifest.com/.

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Our December Dinner Date At George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer

Hi Huneybees, 

With so much time spent at home these days, any chance to get out of the house, or once we hear of any new dining places, hubby and I are ready to go check them out. So, for our first December dinner date, we were George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer.

Located on the bridge end of Boat Quay, the restaurant is easily accessible; with alfresco dining under the stars and stunning view of the historic Singapore River, while enjoying traditional Penang favourites and delectable seafood.

The restaurant is helmed by award-winning Executive Chef, George Tan from Ayer Hitam in George Town, Penang. With over 20 years of experience, Chef Tan has garnered numerous accolades and his signature Rendang Crab has won an award at the Asia Top Heritage Food Award 2019 by IBF (International Business Federation). In addition, he also won the Asia Top Heritage Food Chef Award 2019 by IBF (International Business Federation).

Rendang Beef Cubes ($18)

For meat choices, I would recommend the Rendang Beef Cubes. The meat is just nicely cooked that simply just melts in your mouth; in addition with the slight tongue tantalizing Rendang sauce, it makes a great dish to pair with a bowl of white rice.

Marmite Ribs ($18)

If beef is not for you or you prefer something that's not so spicy, you can also try the sweet Marmite Ribs. It will be a more kid-friendly dish, every piece of rib meat is glazed with the sweet marmite sauce but for me, I'm just too vain to be seen chomping on a rib in public. 😆

Thai Curry Fish Head ($28)

If you like fish head, you must not miss the appetizing Thai Curry Fish Head as it is meticulously prepared with Thai herbs and spices including lemongrass, tamarind, lime leaves, curry leaves, bird’s eye chilies, and coconut milk. The slightly spicy and tangy sauce stimulates one's appetite and I think it makes a good dish during this rainy season to have with a nice fragrant bowl of plain rice.

Pumpkin Prawns ($20)

The restaurant serves some good wine and craft beers as well. We would recommend these couple of dishes to pair with - Pumpkin Prawns and Penang Thai Style Squid.

Penang Thai Style Squid ($15)

The sweet pumpkin sauce brings out the freshness and juiciness of the fried prawns when paired with wine, you get an exciting pairing of floral, fruits, and seafood. The Penang Thai Style Squid on the other day is just nicely fried and with a light sweet sauce. A bite into the chewy flesh of the squid will make you dip nonstop into this dish as you pair it off with their choice of beers.

Tasting Flight ($18)

So, speaking of beers, there are 4 types to offer from Brewlander (local craft beer on tap). They are namely - Peace, Hope, Respect and Love. 

If you are not sure which one you want to get, you can also try the Tasting Flight - 150ml of each beer to try before deciding on one.

Chendol GIN - $12 per glass, $128 per bottle
Rojak GIN - $12 per glass, $122 per bottle

I would recommend trying out the Gins that comes with a local twist - Chendol GIN and Rojak GIN. I find that they aren't as spicy as usual gin and they both have a sweet after taste, a good "dessert" to end off your dinner affair. 

Chendol GIN is distilled from fermented gula Melaka, then re-distilled with juniper berries, pandan and coconut on a pot still, it even has a close taste to the Chendol dessert itself! Rojak GIN is distilled from fermented artisanal Thai honey, then re-distilled with juniper berries, lemon peel and torch ginger. It does have a slight peanut taste resemblance but I would say lacking in that prawn paste sweetness...

For wine lovers, there's a slew for you to choose from. For Red Wines, opt for Santa Helena (Cabernet Sauvignon 2018- House Red, House Pour at Marina Bay Sands, Chile - $9 per glass/$35 per bottle) or the Hentley Farm Villain and Vixen Shiraz 2018 (Top 100 Australian Wine 2018 by James Suckling Vivino Rating 4.1, Top 2% of all wines, used in Wolfgang Cut Restaurant - $88 per bottle). 

For White Wines go for the Santa Helena (Chardonnay 2016 – House White, Chile, House Pour @ Marina Bay Sands - $9 per glass/$35 per bottle ) or Bortolin Angelo (Spumante Extra Dry, Prosecco Docg (Italy), Vivino Rating 4.2, Top 2% of all wines - $78 per bottle) or Matahiwi Estate (Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – New Zealand, Vivino Rating 4.0, Top 3% of all wines - $68 per bottle).

Overall, we love the variety of tasty food offered and its location makes it a good date spot. We'll definitely be back for more and if you would like to head over and try, George Town Tze Char & Craft Beer is located at 81 Boat Quay Singapore 049869.  For orders, please call 6535 6277 or WhatsApp 9682 3826.

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TEN Sushi Is Not Just Another Casual Japanese Sushi Bar

Hi Huneybees,

Located at the newest F&B hotspot in town is a casual Japanese Sushi Bar/Restaurant that is operated by Japanese chefs. What is special about this particular joint lays with the marriage of tradition with innovation and dedication that has been lacking in the mid-to-high tier Japanese F&B market segment here in Singapore.

TEN Sushi, situated at the hip Robertson Quay is specialized in premium sushi and contemporary Japanese cuisine deftly prepared with fine ingredients air flown from Japan. Helmed by Chef Hirai, Ten Sushi is catered for diners who will enjoy innovative Japanese cuisine, Japanese sake, wines, beers and whiskeys in a relaxed, hip and airy environment.

What defines a good Sushi Bar is none other than the quality of sushi it serves and TEN Sushi's offer of sushi and sashimi did not disappoint. Personally, I have a habit of attacking the sashimi to determine if a particular sushi joint is worth a return and I must admit that TEN Sushi's Deluxe Ten Assorted Sashimi Deluxe (SGD58), has exceeded my expectation as the order included not just my favourite Otoro (tuna belly), Uni (sea urchin), but also the very fresh and tasty scallop, which left an refreshing impression that evening.

Served in different styles according to your per pax order.

Moving back to the topic of sushi, I really enjoy the Omakase Sushi (SGD49), which has an assorted 12 pieces of inviting sushi with sushi roll served on a wooden platter, because I don't usually find Otoro and Uni as a selection of fresh seafood ingredient on those vinegared rice, which as you already know by now are my favorite!!

For beef aficionados like yours truly Queen Bee, the A4 Wagyu Aburi Sushi (SGD18 for 2 pieces and SGD44 for 5 pieces) is definitely a must try dish. Christina really loved the innovative idea of matching the classic teriyaki sauce with the Japanese premium seared A4 wagyu sushi to enhance what was already a melt-in-your-mouth, succulent texture.

Another worthy mention is Aburi Salmon Avocado Roll (SGD20), which was really delicious but at the same time healthy due to its low carbo intake!

Apart from sushi and sashimi, TEN Sushi also offers popular Japanese casual dishes such as Beef Gyu Don (SGD$20), Unagi Tamago Don (SGD$26), Pork Shabu Udon (SGD$17). Among them is another uncommon offering in fresh Japanese Sakoshi Bay Oysters (SGD28 for 6pieces and S$49 for 12 pieces), which have a creamy, luscious and meaty texture!!

With a trendy bar that closes at 3am, seven days a week, TEN Sushi is an ideal venue to unwind and relish fresh sushi and signature creations. It's currently Queen Bee's favourite new hunt for Japanese cuisine as she not just fell in love with the food, but also the ambiance too! After a hearty meal, she loves taking a stroll by the Singapore River, to enjoy the night stars. Tempted? Bring your friends along to enjoy it too!

TEN Sushi is located at 60 Robertson Quay, #01-09, Singapore 238252, reservations @ +65 6735 0383 is recommended for weekend dining, Friday included, due to its limited seating places.

Itadakitmasu!

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