signed and stamped with a seal of the artist, lower left
ink and colour on paper
127 x 62 cm (unframed), 156.5 x 82.5 cm (framed)
Note
Calligraphy reads 天容万物 海纳百川, which translates to “Heaven embraces all things; the sea receives every river”. It praises a spirit of vastness, humility, and generosity. It speaks of a heart broad enough to contain difference, strength gentle enough to welcome many voices, and wisdom that finds greatness not in dominance, but in openness, tolerance, and quiet magnanimity toward others.
Lot location
Singapore. On display at Art Agenda Singapore.
Beyond the Written Word
Widely regarded as one of Singapore’s most distinguished artists, Lim Tze Peng (1921–2025) devoted more than seven decades to expanding the expressive possibilities of Chinese ink painting and calligraphy. Although he first gained recognition for his evocative depictions of Singapore’s disappearing streets and kampongs, Lim’s later years witnessed an increasingly radical exploration of abstraction. His celebrated hu tu zi (“muddled calligraphy”) transformed written characters into dynamic visual forms, challenging the conventional boundary between language and painting.
The composition dissolves legible script into sweeping gestures of ink but the calligraphy is still legible and reads 天容万物 海纳百川, which translates to “Heaven embraces all things; the sea receives every river”. It praises a spirit of vastness, humility, and generosity. It speaks of a heart broad enough to contain difference, strength gentle enough to welcome many voices, and wisdom that finds greatness not in dominance, but in openness, tolerance, and quiet magnanimity toward others.
