Weathering Storms as One 风雨同舟
LIM LEONG SENG’S 8TH SOLO EXHIBITION SINGAPORE 2015
Weathering Storms as One
Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession, 2001. Bronze, life-sized. At Telok Ayer Green, Singapore .
WEATHERING STORMS AS ONE is a fine showcase of over 30 sculptures by the renowned Singaporean artist Lim Leong Seng, and is the artist’s eighth solo exhibition. Born in 1950 in Singapore, Lim’s ongoing creative journey spans nearly 50 years, covering the broad spectrum of Chinese and Western art, painting, collage, sculpture and other threedimensional works. A multi-talented artist, Lim has created and exhibited his works since 1969, and is recognised for his bold and experimental approach to art. In the 1970s, he was a forerunner of the nascent modernist art movement in Singapore, at one point even incorporating found objects into his sculptural work, imbuing social context and relevance into sculptural forms. This continuity of the harmony between form and content, history and place can still be seen in this exhibition of sculptures. In addition to his accomplishments as an artist, Lim also worked as a graphic designer at Singapore Press Holdings from 1980 to 85, and served as Chairman of the Modern Art Society, Telok Kurau Studios Committee and other various advisory panels.
In 2001, Lim was the winner of an open call proposal by the Singapore Tourism Board to produce public art for Telok Ayer Green, a park in central Singapore. He completed the project which consisted of three life-sized bronze sculptures, that depicted early immigrant life in Singapore: a Chinese coolie, an Indian milk seller and a mid-autumn lantern procession. In part, because of this project, Lim developed an interest in the life and culture of these early immigrants to Nanyang through his research. He realised that there was in fact a culture unique to this region even before the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles, brought about by the Arab merchants and Chinese and Indian migrants who mostly came here as labourers, and of course, also by the indigenous cultures of the Malays and Peranakans. The opulent dress and lifestyle of the Straits Chinese, the weathered faces of the Samsui women, and the hum of life along the Singapore River and the merchants and labourers at work – all these provided ample artistic inspiration for the artist to continue his Heritage series to this day. Soaring, at City View @ Boon Keng. 1
Expression, at the Kallang Theatre
The prosperity, ideals and aspirations of the nation are translated into energetic sculptural forms in bronze. From his abstract works, Soaring (2010) and Kinship (2010) belong to the series of largescale public sculptures by the artist, revolving around the theme of family. The dynamism and fullness of the forms lends a feeling of harmony and pleasantness, celebrating the importance of love and unity in a family. Showcased in this exhibition are smallerscale editions of these monumental pieces. Lim’s expertise in large-scale commissioned works goes back to 1986, with his mural relief Expression for the Kallang Theatre. The various genres and styles in which Lim works in reveals his keen sense of design, proportion and strong grasp of visual elements and composition. Although the title of this exhibition, Weathering Storms as One, is named after one of the artist’s bronze sculpture depicting the late Minister Mentor of Singapore, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, it is noteworthy that Lim also reminds us of the labour and sacrifices of the men and women who contributed to the building of Singapore as a nation. The success of the Singapore story is the result of many, including the great masses of common people. As a sculptor of bronze, Lim has succeeded in monumentalizing the unsung heroes—labourers such as the coolies and samsui women, making them into icons of our national history and preserving our heritage for generations to come.
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SELECTED WORKS
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SAMSUI WOMAN [A] 2008 Bronze H: 68 x 26 x 19 cm Edition 9/9
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The Samsui women (named after Sanshui, Guangdong Province, China) were settlers who were driven by poverty to search for construction jobs in Singapore during the 1920s. Their lives were hard and frugal, living together in cramped conditions at upper Chin Chew Street. Whatever little money they earned, they would save for their families back home. Through their labour and sacrifices, they played a large role in Singapore's early development as a modern nation.
SAMSUI WOMAN [B] 2008 Bronze H: 58 x 22 x 41 cm Edition 9/9
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PIONEER GENERATION [A] 2015 Bronze H: 33 x 30 x 20 cm Edition 18/50
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PIONEER GENERATION [B] 2015 Bronze H: 30 x 44 x 20 cm Edition 18/50
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Life-sized sculpture of Heading Home. At China Square Central, Nankin Street, Singapore. 8
HEADING HOME 2013 Bronze H: 24 x 17 x 43 cm Edition 16/18
Rickshaw was a form of transportation in early Singapore, favoured by the well-to-do, British civil servants and government officials. It was hardly used by the less wealthy back in the olden days and rickshaw pullers were mostly poor immigrants who came from Hokkien, China in search of a better life in Singapore. This sculpture depicts a wealthy Peranakan lady setting off for home towards Jinrikisha Station, portraying the clear divide between the rich and the poor in early Singapore. Situated at the junction of Neil Road and Tanjong Pagar Road, Jinrikisha Station served as the stop for commuters travelling to towns and is also the rest station for rickshaw pullers after a hard day’s work. 9
Life-sized sculpture of After a hard day’s work. At China Square Central, Nankin Street, Singapore. 10
AFTER A HARD DAY’S WORK 2013 Bronze H: 23 x 26 x 31 cm Edition 16/38
During the British colonial period in the nineteenth century, Singapore’s manual labourers, also known as ‘coolies’, were mostly Chinese immigrants. They often led hard and frugal lives, and lived in cramped quarters along Nanjing and Hokkien Street. This sculpture depicts the coolies gathering in their quarters after a hard day’s work, enjoying simple fare and chatting about their lives. The hard lives also led to some coolies seeking relief in opium.
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Life-sized sculpture of School Time Memories. At Far East Square, Singapore.
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SCHOOL TIME MEMORIES 2013 Bronze H: 19 x 18 x 41 cm Edition 16/38
Amoy Street was colloquially known as Free School Street because of the Cui Ying Free School built in 1854. The first Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) was also started in one of the shophouse along this street (No. 70) in 1886. The sculpture depicts a scene from the past at Amoy Street, where school-going children had fun indulging in their favourite past-time – chapteh – with their friends after class. A traditional game favoured by many in Asia and Southeast Asia, where players keep a weighted shuttlecock in the air using their feet or other parts of the body except the hands, chapteh could be cheaply homemade using feathers attached to a rubber sole.
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SG50 2015 Bronze H: 31 x 10 x 15 cm Edition 2/18
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A heart in the shade of gold, atop a little red dot: as our nation celebrates its fiftieth anniversary of independence and success, we are also reminded of the importance of being a nation with a big heart.
GROW OLD ALONG WITH ME 2012 Bronze H: 66 x 38 x 30 cm Edition 6/10
This sculpture depicts a Peranakan couple dressed for their wedding. The man, or Baba, is dressed in a Western style suit, while the woman (Nyonya) is dressed in a Baju Panjang, a long dress which was adapted from the traditional Malay Baju Kurung. In their lifestyles and clothes, the influence of both Western and indigenous culture is evident.
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Sketches for Arithmetic.
ARITHMETIC 2010 Bronze H: 112 x 72 x 32 cm Edition 9/9 Merit Award in 1st Ngee Ann Distinguished Sculpture Award 2010
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The early Chinese migrants who came here as labourers brought nothing with them but the clothes on their back. Through hard work and determination, they carved a future out for themselves and their descendants. The abacus represents success in career and business, and the upraised hand represents the ever higher aspirations to succeed in culture, education and spiritual development.
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Life-sized sculpture of Mid-autumn Lantern Procession. At Telok Ayer Green, Singapore.
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MID-AUTUMN LANTERN PROCESSION 2001 Bronze H: 41 x 55 x 11 cm Edition 1/18
In 19th century Singapore, Chinese festivals were often marked by elaborate street processions. Festivals that were celebrated in this manner included the Lantern Festival and Chingay. During such occasions, the streets in Telok Ayer would be adorned with colourful banners and flags. Thousands of spectators would line the streets to watch the processions. Depicted here is a Mid-Autumn lantern procession during the 19th century. The fish shaped lanterns are popular with adults and children alike, adding to the celebratory and joyful feeling of the festival. Processions are still part of Chinese celebrations today.
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Life-sized sculpture of The Sound of Nature. At Greenwich V, Singapore.
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THE SOUND OF NATURE 2015 Bronze H: 60 x 52 x 39 cm Edition 1/8
This group of sculptures commemorate Seletar airport, the first international airport of Singapore, which was built in 1928 and known as RAF Seletar. The heritage of Seletar is characterised by two tantalizing features. First, the trail of rubber estates from Yio Chu Kang Road to Jalan Kayu. Second, the sights, sounds and smells of tweeting birds, quivering butterflies, wild flowers, green spaces and country charm. For those who grew up in Yio Chu Kang of the early years, the abundance of childhood memories live on.
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INDIAN IMMIGRANT 2003 Bronze H: 59 x 23 x 15 cm Edition 2/6
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This sculpture depicts an Indian immigrant of the early years. Many of them worked as labourers in large scale projects, such as this particular Tamil coolie of the 1900s. Symbolically, they did pave the way for the modernisation of Singapore, one brick and stone at a time.
DREAMS OF OUR FOREFATHERS [B] 2012 Bronze H: 58 x 26 x 21 cm Edition 8/10
DREAMS OF OUR FOREFATHERS [A] 2012 Bronze H: 58 x 21 x 16 cm Edition 8/10
Singapore’s success today traces back to the sweat and toil of our forefathers, many of whom worked as coolies in the 19th century. Lugging sacks of rice from the Boat Quay, a coolie would load them from tongkangs (light wooden boats that carry goods) which docked along the Singapore River up the river bank. Rice is the staple food and the means of sustenance for many in the early days of Singapore. It also sustains the livelihood for the coolie, allowing him to realise his dreams of building a better future for himself and his family. Lured by the fragrance of rice, the birds bear testimony to the perseverance and ethos of our forefathers who created the Singapore of today.
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THE FRIGHTFUL DAYS 2004 Bronze H: 56 x 29 x 58 cm Edition 1/6
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A scene from the Japanese occupation of Singapore, 1942-1945.
TUI NA THERAPY 2014 Bronze H: 65 x 38 x 36 cm Edition 1/10
Tuina is a traditional Chinese massage used for treating muscle injuries and sprains.
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WEATHERING STORMS AS ONE 2015 Bronze H: 75 x 35 x 45 cm Edition 1/12
Inspired by a 1966 photo of the late Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew, this sculpture depicts the then Prime Minister Lee braving the rains during one of his tours amongst the people. The umbrella also signifies protection from the elements, and of the importance of unity in Singaporeans, to weather the storms as one.
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WATER / WEALTH NO 2 2012 Bronze H: 68 x 85 x 54 cm Edition 2/9
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Water symbolises the delivery of wealth, flowing without constraints. This sculpture has two streams of water interwining, creating a sense of dynamism and interpenetration.
WATER / WEALTH NO 1 2011 Fibreglass H: 72 x 89 x 57 cm Edition 5/9
The sculpture symbolises the water as delivery of wealth, possessing the beauty of versatility and fluidity.
WATER / WEALTH NO 1 2011 Bronze H: 80 x 88 x 59 cm Edition 2/9
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Life-sized sculpture of Pool of Love. At Urban Suites, Hullet Road, Singapore. 30
POOL OF LOVE 2011 Bronze H: 69 x 69 x 48 cm Edition 2/9
In this series of sculptures themed around the family, the feeling of family warmth and unity is accentuated by the pleasing forms and harmonious grouping of the figures. Depicted in these sculptures are the presence of two or three children, acknowledging the change in Singapore’s policy towards family planning from the 1980s. It is now encouraged to have two or more children—the more the better if a family can afford it. Children bring joy and warmth to loving parents, and promote the unity and stability of a family unit.
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Life-sized sculpture of Together. At Urban Resort, Cairnhill Road, Singapore.
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TOGETHER 2013 Bronze 53 x 20 x 20 cm Edition 3/10
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Life-sized sculpture of Soaring. At City View @ Boon Keng, Singapore.
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SOARING 2010 Bronze H: 50 x 18 x 15 cm Edition 9/11
This sculpture revolves around the theme of family. It depicts a close knit family engaged in a harmonious embrace. The parents, represented by an adult female and male forms serve as a strong foundation in which the family is built on. The upward movement of the sculpture symbolizes the parents’ support for their children and prosperous future for the blessed family.
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Life-sized sculpture of Kinship. At The Peak @ Toa Payoh, Singapore.
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KINSHIP 2010 Bronze H: 48 x 35 x 28 cm Edition 4/11
A highly stylized sculpture, Kinship depicts the harmony and dynamism of a nucleus family. The slightly voluptuous figures signify abundance and strength, wealth, health and love. Kinship shows an image of family members holding hands in unity. The family creates and unbreakable bond that symbolize love and hope.
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Life-sized sculpture of Melody of Life. At D’Leedon, Farrer Road, Singapore.
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MELODY OF LIFE 2014 Bronze H: 66 x 39 x 20 cm Edition 1/9
Melody of Life depicts a mother conveying her love for her child through the language of music. The oversized mother, hollowed-out guitar and seemingly impossible sitting position of the child all add to the richness of the work and engage our imagination. This is a sculpture that expresses the joy of life and tenderness of motherly love.
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UNITY 1998 Bronze H: 43 x 22 x 12 cm Edition 3/14
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EXPLORING THE WORLD TOGETHER 2014 Bronze H: 63 x 48 x 19 cm Edition 3/9
Exploring the world together shows a mother figure taking her children out to see the world. The skateboard communicates movement and fun, and the mother’s pose, like an Indian dancer, adds to the imaginative aspect of this sculpture.
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Lim Leong Seng (b.1950) is a full-time sculptor and artist based in Singapore. He is a member of the Singapore Modern Art Society since 1977, and was elected as the President of the society in 2001. He has held 7 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Japan, Paris, London and Belgium. He was awarded the Grand Prize in MCI Art Competition in 1990, Second Prize in REDAS Building Sculpture Competition (International) in 1993 and Jurors’ Choice in Philip Morris Group of Companies Singapore Art Awards in 1997. In the same year, he also won the Tan Tsze Chor Art Award – Gold. Lim’s work is diverse and experimental, and he is proficient in the use of bronze, steel, collage work and mixed media in his artworks. His works are widely seen at prominent public locations, including one of his earliest award winning wall mural ‘Expression’ at the Kallang Theatre, ‘Mid-Autumn Lantern Procession (2001)’ at Telok Ayer Green and ‘In loving memory of Ah Meng, the Orang Utan (2007)’, ‘Family Ties (2006)’ and ‘Orang Asli (2005)’at the Singapore Zoological Gardens just to name a few. To date, Lim Leong Seng is one of Singapore’s most iconic and successful sculpture artists.
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Solo Exhibitions 1976 1st Solo Exhibition, National Library, Singapore 1983 2nd Solo Exhibition, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries 1991 3rd Solo Exhibition, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore 1992 4th Solo Exhibition, C-Line Gallery, Bali, Indonesia 1993 5th Solo Exhibition, Pinetree Town & Country Club, Singapore 2004 6th Solo Exhibition, ARTrium@MITA, Singapore 2010 7th Solo Exhibition (Sculpture), Sculpture Square, Singapore 2015 8th Solo Exhibition, (Sculpture), The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore Awards 1976 1986 1987 1989 1989 1990 1990 1993 1997 1997 2010 2013
OCBC Art Competition- Consolation Prize Kallang Theatre Mural Design Competition – “Expression” Ministry of Communication and Information Art Competition – Consolation Prize Sculpture Competition – First Prize, Singapore Singapore Art Society Service Medal Tan Tsze Chor Art Award Ministry of Communication and Information Art Competition – Grand Prize Redas Building International Sculpture Competition – 2nd Prize Philip Morris Group of Companies Singapore Art Awards – Jurors’ Choice Tan Tsze Chor Art Award – Gold 1st Ngee Ann Distinguished Sculpture Awards Competition – Merit Award Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award, Contemporary Western Arts - Distinction Prize
Commissioned Works 1986 Expression, Kallang Theatre Mural Design 1989 Happy Family, Outdoor Sculpture for Flame Tree Park, Thomson Road 1991 The Symphony, Mural Design, VIP Complex 2, Changi Airport 1994 Unity, Outdoor Sculpture, Elias Green Condominium, Elias Road 1995 Joy, Outdoor Sculpture, Tampines New Town 1997 Unity, Outdoor Sculpture, Jurong East, Communal Focal Point 1998 Spirit of Kallang, Outdoor Sculpture, Kallang Gaswork 2001 Reaching for the Stars, Kranji Primary School 2001 Chinese Procession & Indian Settlers, Telok Ayer Green, Singapore Tourism Board 2002 Sir Stamford Raffles, Outdoor Sculpture, Stamford Primary School 2005 Orang Asli, Outdoor Sculpture, Night Safari 2006 Early Song, Outdoor Sculpture, Hewlett-Packard 2006 Family Ties, Outdoor Sculpture, Singapore Zoo 2007 Two Bust Sculptures for National Cancer Centre Singapore 2007 Joy, Collection of Mr Rodney Lee, Singapore 2007 Ah Meng, Sculpture for Singapore Zoo 2008 Sculpture for Singapore Armed Forces Bands 2010 Soaring, Sculpture for City View @ Boon Keng , Singapore 2011 River 1, Sculpture @ Punggol East C19, Singapore 2012 River 2, Sculpture @ Punggol East C20, Singapore 2012 Kinship, Sculpture for The Peak @ Toa Payoh, Singapore 2012 The Sound of Nature, Sculptures @ Greenwich V, Singapore 2013 3 Sculptures at China Square. 2013 Pool of Love, Sculpture at Hullet Road ( Urban Suites ) 2013 Together, Sculpture at Cairnhill Road ( Urban Resort) 2014 Melody of Life, Sculpture for D’Leedon at Farrer Road
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Selected Group Exhibitions 1969 Singapore Art Society Annual Exhibition 1972 1st ASEAN Art Exhibition, Singapore 1980 Group Tour cum Exhibition, Taiwan 1986 Salon Des Artistes Francis, Paris 1987 National Museum Centenary Art Exhibition, Singapore 1989 Group Tour cum Exhibition, Kuala Lumpur 1990 Artist Camp International, Penang 1990 Modern Art Society Group Exhibition, Macau 1992 6th Asian International Art Exhibition, Tawaga, Japan 1992 New Zealand International Festival of Arts 1992 7th Asian International Art Exhibtion, Bundung, Indonesia 1992 4th Asia Federation of Fine Arts Exhibition, Taegu, Korea 1993 “New Space” Exhibition by Singaporean & Vietnamese Artists, Vietnam 1993 12th International Art Exchange Exchange Exhibition Kaosiung, Taiwan 1994 Artistas De Singapura : Pintura Moderna No Oriente, Macau 1994 9th Asian International Art Exhibition, Taiwan 1995 10th Asian International Art Exhibition, Singapore 1996 11th Asian International Art Exhibition, Manila 1997 12th Annual Exhibition of the Asian Watercolour Confederation, Singapore 1997 Memory of Singapore, Ginza, Japan 1997 12th Asian International Art Exhibition, Macau 1997 Phillip Morris Group of Companies Art Awards, Singapore & Manila 1997 Modern Art Society “Self Potraits of the Artists” Exhibition, Singapore 1998 Modern Art Society Chengdu Art Exhibition, China 1998 4 Perspectives Art Exhibition, Bangkok, Thailand 1998 Asian Watercolours ’98, Seoul 1998 “Flemish Watercolour Days”, Belgium 1999 14th Asian International Art Exhibition, Fukuoka, Japan 2000 15th Asian International Art Exhibition, Tainan, Taiwan 2001 “A Vision of Change”, University of Brighton, UK Singapore Modern Art Society “Time and Space” Exhibition, Singapore 16th Asian International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, China 2002 17th Asian International Art Exhibtion, Daejeon, Korea Singapore Modern Art in the 1970s, Singapore Art Museum 2003 CDL Singapore Sculpture Award Exhibition, Singapore Art Museum 18th Asian International Art Exhibtion, Hong Kong Telok Kurau Studios Annual Show, Singapore Modern Art Society 39th Annual Exhibition –Negotiating Boundaries, Singapore 2004 19th Asian International Art Exhibition, Fukuoka, Japan 2006 First Taipei International Modern Ink Painting Biennial , Taiwan 2008 23rd Asian International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, China 2009 Form & Reform , 6th Ngee Ann 3D Art Exhibition 2009, Singapore 2010 Telok Kurau Studios Annual Exhibition, “Forgetting the Roses” Singapore 2011 7th Ngee Ann 3D Art Exhibition “Construct Elements “ Ngee Ann CC 2011 Art Expo. Malaysia 2011, Matrade ECC, K.L. Malaysia 2012 Art is a Lie, at Telok Kurau Studios, Singapore 2013 Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Awards Exhibition, @ MICA Building 2013 Telok Kurau Studios 15th Anniversary art exhibition, Singapore 2013 33 Auction (5 Anniversary Auction), @ Grand Hyatt Singapore . 2014 Bonhams Hong Kong 2014 Autumn Auctions, Hong Kong. 2014 Singapore Art Fair, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. 2015 33 Auction, @ Grand Hyatt Singapore. (June) 2015 Telok Kurau Studios 17th Annual Exhibition, “A Secluded Scent” Singapore. 44
Acknowledgements The artist warmly thanks the following for making the exhibition and publication a success: Mr Cheng Jian Fenn Mr Seng Yu Jin, Senior Curator, National Gallery Singapore Ms Iola Liu, Director, Asia Art Collective Ms Chen Wei Teng Arts Fund National Arts Council, Singapore The Fullerton Heritage
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ISBN: 978-981-09-6729-1 Published on the occasion of Weathering Storms as One: Lim Leong Seng 8th Solo Exhibition (25 September to 26 October 2015) Publisher: Lim Leong Seng Š2015 Lim Leong Seng. All rights reserved.