Crossing Cultures Solo Show - A Wonderful Connection

Thank You

A wonderful feeling to have recently completed my second recent solo show Crossing Cultures in Singapore. I enjoyed connecting to new and old friends who have supported my exploration of Peranakan heritage and local culture.

In my Singapore Heritage Tile Art Collection, I interpreted traditional architecture elements into a tale of contemporary design, and showed handcrafted woodblock prints from my recent art residency in Japan.

It was fun to conduct sessions of live printing from my temporary workbench at the cafe as well! Audiences saw the process behind my woodblock prints and heard snippets of my seven-year journey to uncover my family history. I also chatted about my recent art residency near Mt. Fuji as part of the Japanese woodblock MI-LAB AIR program.

Presenting Deputy Director, Policy and Planning at Asian Civilisations Museum Baba John Teo with Diamond Arabesque

It was a fantastic opening of my show with a full shophouse! I was blessed to be surrounded by friends, family and clients. Baba John Teo, General Manager of the Peranakan Museum & Deputy Director, Policy and Planning at Asian Civilisations Museum, kindly opened the show. Award-winning chef & designer Benjamin Seck amazed all with his delicious Peranakan canapés, floral arrangements and hand-made sarong kebaya.

Visitors checking out the tale behind Baba Nyonya Love Story

The show was a collection of my artwork inspired by personal links to Singapore, and natural and man-made surroundings. I was pleased to present new additions to my Singapore Heritage Tile range, including Baba Nyonya Love Story. I created this artwork based on the tales of young suitors coming to the front entrance area of a traditional Peranakan shophouse. From behind the dividing timber screen, giggling girls would watch the discussions between their father and the matchmaker.

With Singapore Shophouse author Julian Davison

Since discovering that my great grandfather grew up in a shophouse on Club Street, I’ve been interested in learning more about the history and architecture behind these grand ladies. Lovely to have esteemed author Julian Davidson join the special evening. Looking forward to his new book!

Some of the support crew from Business Women Network

It takes a village to raise a child, let alone an artist! Thankful for support from the founder of Business Women Network Michelle Mcfarlane and other members. This fantastic group of ladies offered me advice and strength. Other supporters included Elaine Friedlander of Professional Art Network Singapore NUWA, and Suzi Dafinis of HerBusiness.

Printing Belgium Duo step-by-step while chatting, & feeling like a counter sushi chef!

Artist Profile

A Visual Arts graduate of the Australian National University, Jennifer's background includes architecture, fashion and Japanese translation. In Singapore, Jennifer can often be found in the undergrowth of Bukit Brown Cemetery, exploring historical spots and practicing her kindergarten-level Chinese with her HDB neighbours!

Jennifer helps people enjoy a lasting connection to Singapore through her distinctive prints and paintings inspired by history and heritage. Her clients include the Singapore Foreign Ministry and Tolman Gallery Tokyo.

Contact Jennifer

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Hong Kong Arts Month

Art Basel Hong Kong

You need a strong pair of legs to get through Hong Kong Art Month! I recently spent two and a half days in Hong Kong to see international art fairs Art Basel and Art Central, and did more steps than I usually do in several weeks. The yum-cha kind of balanced things out in the end though...I enjoyed seeing Art Basel with over 195 galleries showcasing 20th and 21st-century works. Installations by Australian artist Nyapanyapa Yunupingu and Japan's Shinji Ohmaki were among my favourites. It was also nice to see familiar faces at Singapore's Sullivan+Strumpf, Mizuma and STPI. 

Art Central Hong Kong 

Two hours were all I had to catch Art Central, so I was making the rounds pretty quickly. Lots of beautiful work to be seen in the temporary but intimate pop-up tent hall. Richard Koh, Mars Gallery and Art Atrium had some inspiring works. With over 100 galleries participating, there was definitely something for anyone looking for contemporary artwork. So glad I had the chance to visit with friends and enjoy a couple of days of Mandarin immersion! 

Talk & Art Demo at Affordable Art Fair Autumn Singapore 17

I was delighted to be part of Affordable Art Fair Singapore Autumn 2017! Lovely to have been invited to exhibit my work and give an artists talk. Awagami Papers kindly sponsored my Japanese woodblock workshops popular with fair visitors. It was nice to also give people a demonstration so they could get an insight into the world of printmaking! Read more about upcoming workshops. 

Artist talk synopsis

Australian artist Jennifer Lim shares her personal connection to Singapore and unfolds her journey of ancestral discovery through the process of printmaking and painting. A graduate of the Australian National University, Jennifer has strong ties to Japan and studied Japanese woodblock in Kyoto. Her cross cultural background and love of language continues to inform her artwork while she draws inspiration from the built and natural landscape. Jennifer will also give a short demonstration on Japanese woodblock carving and printing. Discover the beautiful marriage of watercolour pigments and 'washi' in a 400-year-old technique seen in Ukiyoe prints and beyond.

Creation of Victorian Voyage series.

Represented by LUDO Gallery at the Affordable Art Fair Singapore in 2015.

Haruka Kojin @ Hermes Singapore

Hermes Singapore recently asked me to do some interpreting and translation work for the installation of several on-site art pieces by Japanese artist Haruka Kojin. It was a lot of fun to help and amazing to see the work unearthed from packing crates and then finally installed at the Hermes Liat Tower show window. 

Titled 'Contact Lense', the installation literally uses images from nearby surroundings to create a fascinating composition of distorted and reflective bubbles of light and colour. 

The acrylic disks are made up of both plain acrylic but also ones with a degree of magnification designed. In combination with mirrors, the effect is eye-catching but also somewhat unsettling. 

Kojin was born in Hiroshima in 1983 and since a child was attracted to the physical space around her, and how it defines our existence. 

Haruka has exhibited similar works in other countries, but each installation is carefully planned according to the existing space and conditions. 

For the Hermès project, Kojin is focused on extracting a kind of beauty from everyday objects and incorporating it into fashion. 

This installation can be seen until October 3, 2017 at the Hermès Liat Tower store at 541 Orchard Road. Don't forget to check out their Aloft Gallery on the 4th floor, where you can find regular exhibitions of international and local artists. 

Print Show in France

I'm honoured to be invited to represent Singapore in The World Triennial of Prints and Original Engravings in France. As one of four artists holding up the flag for the ‘red dot’, it’s been a great chance to make some new work. Chamalieres is a region famous for the paper mills used originally to produce bank notes. Some 400 artists will join from various nations with prizes for the winning participants. I'm proud to be represented by art print specialist LUDO Gallery. These prints will be available shortly for purchase.

Prints about to come out of the drying 'stack' - having been pressed between cardboard for several days. 

A collage of Japanese woodblock prints and screenprints. A few Peranakan tiles thrown in with some Nyonya-ware inspired colours - makes me think of Nyoyna kueh sweets...yum! 

Jalan jalan...taking a walk around Singapore - you might spot some of these places! 

Speaking of walks and trips, Straits Sojourn is about the voyages made by Chinese traders and others to the former British Straits Settlements. Japanese woodblock print. 

My 'patented' thread printing technique. Combines my interest in textiles with printmaking! 

Tile Trade: Wealth & Luck is based on the story of Peranakan craftsmen sent to Japan to create relief wall tiles for local Chinese Peranakan customers in Singapore. These tiles feature fruit, flowers and animals considered auspicious in Chinese culture. Read more. 

Art & Yum Cha in Hong Kong

I enjoyed catching the Asia Contemporary Art Show and Hong Kong Art Central during a very quick weekend visit. Some particularly impressive galleries included The Gallery Eumundi, Artify Gallery, Art Seasons and Over The Influence. 

I was pleased to see the striking artwork of Japanese artist Shinji Omaki. I've admired his work since interpreting for him during an artist talk at Singapore Art Museum Art Garden a few years ago. His installation work really brings out the best in him but these round artworks capture the essence of his vision. 

Urban scenes by former Brisbane deputy mayor David Hinchliffe are evocative of contemporary life in Hong Kong, but could be almost any other busy city in the world. Having lived some five years in Tokyo, I was drawn to his colourful depictions of architecture and cityscapes. 

It's been some 15 years since I was last in Hong Kong, but I found it much more enjoyable this time with some basic Mandarin under my belt.  'I want that' is always a handy phrase to know! It was a whirlwind three days and I thank my fellow artist and friend Michelle Ma for looking after me. There's nothing like hanging out with someone who really knows her way around town! Grateful to the support crew back home for letting me go away for the business of art. :) 

Affordable Art Fair Spring Singapore

Some students, friends and I recently checked out Affordable Art Fair Spring in Singapore. We enjoyed chatting to the directors of  Artify, Tokyo Gallery and the Tolman Collection. See some photos from a fun morning!

Solo Art Show at the Australian High Commission Singapore

I'm looking forward to showing my new collection of work in October 2017! Many thanks to the Australian High Commission in Singapore for agreeing to host my show. I'll be creating a series of new prints and paintings...and going big! Join my mailing list to follow my creative process. 

Show Synopsis
 

Australian artist Jennifer Lim presents a collection of works based on her personal history and connection to Singapore. In her second solo exhibition, Jennifer explores her Hokkien and Peranakan roots alongside the language and landscape common to this island nation. An evocative narrative of history and heritage, Jennifer’s prints and paintings depict a physical and inner journey relevant to an ever interconnected world.

World Printmaking Triennial in France

I'm excited to be selected as one of four artists representing Singapore at The World Triennial of Prints and Original Engravings in September. Looking forward to creating some new works especially for this show! I'd also like to thank LUDO Gallery for their support. 

The Fleur-de-lis Clover pattern can be found in my greeting cards created from a Japanese woodblock print that I printed and carved. 

I've always been keen on many aspects of French culture including architecture, interiors and fashion. It's ironic that my interest in floor and wall tiles in Singapore led me to the fleur-de-lis or flower-de-luce. The fleur-de-lis symbol depicts a stylized lily or lotus flower, and is said to represent French royalty as well as perfection, light, and life. Elegant floral tiles inspired by this motif can be found in many traditional Peranakan shophouses. We'll see what the next few weeks in the studio produce for this show! 

Sarong Kebaya Exhibition in Tokyo （日英文）

Singapore, Sarong Kebaya and Style: Peranakan Fashion in an Interconnected World

The Shoto Museum in Tokyo is to launch an exhibition curated by Singapore author and collector Peter Lee and the Asian Civilisation's Museum from July 26th to September 25th, 2016. See more details in English. 

Eustacia Tan also has some great photos of this show on her blog.

サロンクバヤ：シンガポール　麗しのスタイル　

つながりあう世界のプラナカン・ファッション

2016年7月26日（火）〜2016年9月25日（日）

18世紀から20世紀にかけてのシンガポールのプラナカン（中国やインド系移民の子孫）の女性用民族衣装「サロンクバヤ」やジュエリー、ビーズのサンダルなど約140点を展示し、ファッションという視点から、シンガポール文化の重層性や日本との関わりを読み解きます。本展は2016年の日本・シンガポール外交関係樹立50周年を記念して開催するもので、シンガポール国立アジア文明博物館とプラナカンの名家であるリー家のコレクションを中心に紹介します。

ワークショップ「華麗なるプラナカンビーズ刺繍で小物づくり」、館内のツアーもあります。

New Beadwork & Embroidery Show at Peranakan Museum

Nyonya Needlework - Embroidery and Beadwork in the Peranakan World

This fantastic exhibition is currently on at the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. It showcases an exquisite range of beadwork and needlework mainly from the late 19th and early 20th century. I was extremely impressed with the intricate and delicate exhibits that must have commanded amazing patience and attention to detail to produce. Don't forget that young Nyonya ladies were at the time judged by matchmakers and prospective families on their beading and cooking abilities! 

Located near City Hall or Bras Basah MRT stations on Armenian Street, the gallery is a former school built in the 'Eclectic Classical' style and is over a hundred years old. It's often called a 'boutique' museum and perfect for enjoying a guided tour led by friendly volunteer docents. See museum details.  

Where to Learn Peranakan Beadwork in Singapore

Raymond and I catching up on some chit-chat over his unique blue tea...

Kim Choo Kueh Chang

Raymond Wong teaches beadwork classes where you can learn to make your own kasut manek beaded slippers, purse or other items at his shophouse along East Coast Road. See their website for details. 

Little Shophouse

Craftsman Robert Sng runs this cute boutique near Arab Street and offers classes in beadwork. See also their Facebook page.
Address: 43 Bussorah St, Ph: 6295 2328

Peranakan Sarong Kebaya Finds New Home in Japan

Over 50 vintage garments and textiles from the collection of prominent Singapore Peranakan figure Lee Kip Lee have found a new home and admirers in Japan. It's wonderful to hear that the Peranakan Association of Singapore Honorary Life President, Baba Lee Kip Lee has donated so many antique kebaya and sarong to Fukuoka Art Museum!

Courtesy of the Straits Times. 

I'm also very excited to hear about the opening of a new travelling exhibition ‪'Singapore, Sarong Kebaya and Style: Peranakan Fashion in an Interconnected World'. The show will feature many items from Mr. Lee's collection and is organised by Mr Lee's son Peter, a Peranakan culture scholar and author of 'Sarong Kebaya: Peranakan Fashion in an Interconnected World 1500- 1950'. 

Fukuoka Art Museum will host the show from 17 April to 12 June 2016 before it moves to Shoto Museum of Art in Tokyo in July. 

Excuse the 'professional' photo but I'm wearing one of my favourite polka-dot sarongs from Kiah's Gallery. Learn about this great shop and others in my blog post 'Where to Buy Nyonya Sarong Kebaya in Singapore'! 

New Artwork Off To Italy

My latest work Singapore Story 1 will be part of the Imago Mundi show in Italy later this year!

Imago Mundi, meaning 'World Picture' in Italian, is an art project being run between Wina gallery, Indonesia, & Fondazionesarenco & Fondazionesarenco Benetton, Italy. It was great to meet Antonius Kho from Wina gallery recently and talk about his involvement. 

According to the website, Imago Mundi is the collection of works commissioned and collected by Luciano Benetton on his travels around the world, involving, on a voluntary and non-profit basis, established and emerging artists from many different countries.

Inspired by local Victorian era majolica tiles, I've incorporated place names around Singapore in Chinese and English text. Kisses and Hugs From Singapore is a similar collage work on a larger scale and available for sale. 

Singapore Story 1, Japanese woodblock, 12cm x 10cm, detail

Jennifer's Art Opening at LUDO Gallery

Temasak Travel, 2015, mixed media. 

Hugs and Kisses From Singapore, 2015, mixed media 

Behind every great woman is an even greater one - LUDO Gallery Director Brenda Dwyer

Good food, good wine - everyone loves an art show opening! Thanks to all who made it - it was a very humbling and fantastic feeling to gather family, friends and supporters around to celebrate my journey back into art. 

A special thank you to LUDO Gallery Director Brenda Dwyer for her ongoing encouragement and support. It was also great to have Mr. Richard Tan, Creative Director for the Peranakan Arts Festival, be part of the night. I look forward to demonstrating at the upcoming festival. I'd also like to thank my parents - particularly for giving me lots of cultural sources to draw upon! 

For those who couldn't make it, please pop around or drop me a line. It would be great to show you around! The exhibition runs through November 15, 2015. 

LUDO Gallery 

261 Waterloo Street, #02-05 Waterloo Centre, Singapore 180261

Ph: +65 6337 1727.  Contact: curator@ludo.gallery

Open: Mon - Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am - 4pm

Four-Year-Old Fan Club

It's always nice to have admirers. 

When not stealing my pencils, my daughter is always very supportive of me. Recently she said, 'Wow! Bootiful!'. Her comment made my day. 

She's looking forward to taking art classes in Mandarin soon. It's fun learning colours in Chinese together. At this rate, I better get her a set of Derwent pencils exactly like mine. Then I can borrow them! 

Mummy and mini-me at Hollandse Club solo show. 

Hollandse Club Show - Meet the Artist Sessions

Opening night - A great start to my first solo show and thanks to those who made it! Whenever people see my woodblock prints, they are always surprised to hear that it's the exact same technique used to many great ukiyoe prints such as 'Mt. Fuji' or 'The Great Wave Off Kanagawa' by Ando Hiroshige. 

Meet-the-Artist - I'll be showing how I've used this 400-year-old technique in my work in upcoming meet-the-artist sessions at the Tradewinds Bar, Hollandse Club until June 30th, 2015.  Learn about the Dutch-Peranakan-Chinese connection in my art and hear about my experience at nearby Bukit Brown cemetery...You might even get the chance to see how a print is made with a live demonstration! Non-members are welcome to the Tradewinds Bar, which is open 11am-11pm. 

Scheduled times:

1pm - 3pm, Wednesday 10th June, 2015

1pm - 3pm, Wednesday 17th June, 2015

2pm-4pm, Saturday 20th June, 2015

2pm-4pm, Saturday 27th June, 2015

Love to see you there - please drop me a line if you are interested in coming along. 

Victorian Voyage - Sage, 2015. Japanese woodblock. Inspired by Victorian motif tiles - so popular with the Peranakans! 

From the Peranakan Peony limited edition of 50 series. All prints in this series are unique - a variable edition! 

#jenniferlimdesign #japaneseart #peranakandesign #peranakanpride #australianartist #singaporeart #singaporeartexhibitions #peranakanculture @singapore50 @affordableartfairsg @anzasingapore @sg_50 @timeoutsg 

Art Show at the Hollandse Club: Final Touches!

My show at the Tradewind Bar, Hollandse Club, Singapore is almost ready - just putting the final touches on as I await the framing of my Victorian Voyage, Tile Trade and new Temasek Travel works. Both members and non-members are welcome to my opening on this Friday 5th June 2015 at 4-6pm! 

I've used Japanese woodblock printing for many of the works in this show. Come and see the working process behind this 400-year-old art form!  

For other viewing times by non-members, come and chat to me at the club on the following dates: 

1. Saturday 6th June: 10am - 12pm

2. Wednesday 10th June: 11am - 1pm

3. Wednesday 17 June: 11am - 1pm 

4. Saturday 20th June: 10am - 12pm

Directions to Hollandse Club: 

22 Camden Park, (Off Adam Road)
Singapore 299814. Ph: 6464 5225

Contact me for details. See you there! 

#artshowsingapore #alistsg #sgarts #sg50 

Peranakans Event - Savills Club @ WTP Showroom

Peranakans Event - I'm looking forward to showing my new series of Japanese woodblock prints at an upcoming talk on Peranakan culture! Christine Ong Kiat Neo, Peranakan author of Nyonya Kebaya: Intricacies Of The Peranakan Heritage will also be showcasing pieces from her online store Peranakan Shop. Book here: http://club.savills.com.sg/Events/Peranakans.html

Date: Tuesday 10 March, 2015 
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm 
Venue: Window To the Past Furniture Company near Red Hill (WTP Showroom) 3 Kung Chong Road, Singapore, 159141

Here's a little peek into my preparations!