Lim Tze Peng

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About the artwork

Lim Tze Peng writes the words of 秋登萬山寄張五 or Autumn Ascent of Wan Mountain for Zhang Wu by Tang Dynasty poet Meng Haoran (689-740.) The full poem reads: 北山白雲里，隱者自怡悅。相望始登高，心隨雁飛滅。 愁因薄暮起，興是清秋髮。時見歸村人，平沙渡頭歇。天邊樹若薺，江畔洲如月。何當載酒來，共醉重陽節。 Translated, it means: That northern peak enveloped in pearly clouds, brings jubilation to my reclusive heart. I attempt the climb with a mind to survey the land from up high, while my heart soars with the swans. Twilight is the harbinger of gloom, but then again late autumn is a time for joyous merriment. I often observe from a vantage point the villagers returning home, watching as they recline on sandy beaches at the place of the ferry crossing. The horizon is filled with trees as small as a shepherd’s satchel, and gazing downward I view the banks of the shore in the moonlight. What harm could befall me if I were to bring fine wine to the mountain, to gaily celebrate the Double Ninth Festival.

About the artist

Born in Singapore in 1921, Lim Tze Peng is one of Singapore’s most significant artists and a living legend. Renowned for his Chinese ink creations of post-independence Singapore, he also practices Chinese calligraphy. Alongside local and international exhibitions, his masterpieces are exhibited in prominent Singapore institutions and part of many prestigious collections. Lim has been bestowed several awards including the Special Prize at the Commonwealth Art Exhibition in England in 1977 and the prestigious Cultural Medallion in Singapore in 2003. In May 2012, he broke records with the sale of his works at a Christies auction in Hong Kong.