Benjamin Seck talks with Jennifer Lim about everyone’s favourite topic - food!
Read MoreTen Steps to Japanese Woodblock Printing...That You Didn't Know!
Artist Talks & Demonstrations
Join my upcoming series of Artist Talks as part of my show Crossing Cultures. See tickets & dates here.
Japanese woodblock prints take around ten steps to produce - if you’re streamlined! Over several hundred years, Japanese craftsmen have refined what often initially appears a simple process. You may have seen Ukyiyoe prints before…Read some of the steps behind the extensive preparation of handcrafted prints to understand their unique charm.
Outside famous Miyagawa Brush shop ready to shop for brushes! Yep, we’re pretty into this Mokuhanga thing.
Step 1. Source the Materials
Tools, brushes, pigments, handheld printing barrens and of course...washi paper, must all be purchased. Generally speaking, these materials are only available in Japan with few other substitutes.
Step 2. Create the Image
Think of mountains and the sea...and what? I use these terms to explain how each section of an image must be an 'isolated mountain' surrounded by a 'sea' of blank space. If you're printing in more than one colour, you'll also need to plan ahead as usually one block per colour will need to be created.
Making a handheld printing disk called a barren…attempt no. 6!
Step 3. Sharpen the Tools
A meditative, if not laborious job, vital to keeping tools in good shape. A sharp tool is actually a safer tool, and less likely to slip during carving.
Step 4. Transfer the Image
I trace by hand each image onto the lightly-sanded woodblock. Accuracy is vital since layers of printed blocks will need to align later.
Step 5. Carve the Block
After transferring my images onto a separate block for each colour, I get carving! I can usually only carve for a few hours at a time during daylight hours. A piece of leather and abrasion powder is handy for 'honing' my tools as I go along. It's important to gauge the depth needed for carving. Too shallow and the carved areas will show. If I carve too deep, I may weaken my block (as well as wreck my tools!).
A wee bit here, and a wee bit there…
Step 6. Cut the Paper
Paper must be measured accurately ahead of time with a sufficient border. On the back, a small 'x' is marked to help later on with placing the paper in the right spot on the table.
Step 7. Dampen the Paper
I dampen the washi paper by spraying it with fresh water and leaving it in a damp stack of newspapers. The whole stack of papers is wrapped in plastic so that the moisture can distribute evenly through the washi paper. This step is usually done a few hours before printing, or even overnight. Watch out for mould though - the printer's enemy!
Dampening each hand-cut sheet of paper is one of the easiest jobs!
Step 8. Prepare the Inks & Brushes
Each colour is prepared ahead of time to ensure consistency. Brushes may need to be lightly sanded or even singed with a flame to ensure their softness. The block is then printed to 'see' the carved image and any rectifications are done then.
Step 9. Final Printing
Once happy with the test 'proof' prints, printing of the 'good' prints starts. Chocolate and green tea are essential for keeping the printer happy, and in turn, nicely printed work.
Final ‘proof’ of all blocks and colours used in the intended work before moving onto printing an edition of prints.
Step 10. Dry the Prints
Prints are slowly dried by placing them between sheets of dry paper and applying pressure. Stacks of interesting art and travel are most suitable for this step!
And step 11…enjoying having a piece of handmade artwork and being happy that you can tell a story of how it was put together!
LEARN MORE ABOUT JENNIFER’S ORIGINAL ARTWORK
Chinese Symbolism - Great Books To Read
Even wondered why toads and bats appear in Chinese culture and furniture? Maybe not? Then perhaps you've been a bit busy to notice that your favourite blue and white 'carp' bowl means ‘profitable’ and ‘powerful’! Yes, Chinese culture is full of animals both big and small - and they all mean something. See my three favourite books on learning about Chinese symbolism:
Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery
An absolute go-to book for everything related to imagery in Chinese art and culture. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Patricia on a number of occasions and her depth of knowledge is amazing. Learn more
Origins of Chinese Auspicious Symbols
Handy A5 size book…yes you could carry this in your bag next time you’re hanging out in Chinatown or at the Peranakan Museum! Learn more
Gateway to Peranakan Culture
Because Chinese Peranakan traditionally followed ancient practices for funerals and ancestral worship, you can see many symbols in their material culture. From crabs and fish on beaded slippers, to phoenixes and bats on their furniture…it’s a beautiful mix! Learn more
And if you find some other good books, don’t forget to let me know! Please place your finds in the comment box below!
Interview for Gunong Sayang Association
Thrilled to be interviewed in the play programme for Gunong Sayang Association! I remember the thrill of seeing on of GSA’s plays several years ago. To hear Malay being spoken by Peranakan performers moved me to tears, despite only understanding it through translations!
Read MoreMy Three Favourite Museums in Singapore
Inspiring, informative…affordable and air-conditioned! Let me introduce you to my three favourite museums in Singapore. All you need are comfortable shoes and some coins for a coffee afterwards!
Read MoreWho Are The Peranakans? A Chat With Benjamin Seck
Australian artist Jennifer Lim chats with Benjamin Seck from True Blue Cuisine on the origins of the Peranakan people ahead of their joint show Crossing Cultures in Singapore.
Read MoreHow I got started as an artist
Join Australian artist Jennifer Lim in her studio in Singapore & connect to culture.
Read MoreCrossing Cultures: My New Show in Singapore
‘Crossing Cultures’ art exhibition by Jennifer Lim & Benjamin Seck opens Thursday 15 November, 2018 at True Blue Space, Singapore.
Read MoreBack in Singapore! Japan Art Residency Completed
Artist Jennifer Lim returns to Singapore after completing the June-July 2018 MI-LAB Art Residency in Yamanashi prefecture.
Read MoreJapan Journey: Supporters
campaign fundraising goal reached!
Thank you to the sponsors who helped make my journey possible! I've very grateful for your support. Why is this residency so important to me? Find out here.
Shaukh Creations Photography Art Designs
Paragon Faire
Japan Journey: Facebook Live
Japan Journey: Join Australian-Singaporean Artist Jennifer Lim as she shares her experiences during an art residency near Mt. Fuji!
Read MoreJapan Journey Kicks off!
Read about the Japan Journey undertaken by artist Jennifer Lim joins art residency in Yamanashi, Japan.
Read MoreFeature in Lianhe Zaobao Newspaper
An honour to be mentioned in Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao newspaper! Many thanks to those who have supported me in researching my family tree and helping me to understand my roots. The main photo in the article was taken at my Hokkien great-grandfather's ancestral temple in Singapore on Cantonment Road. It's been an amazing journey learning about the history of this fascinating building. Read the article in English and Chinese below.
Established in 1928 by members of a Lim clan association, this architectural beauty was built with funds from members including my great grandfather. I'm surprised at the unusual array of Peranakan tiles that proudly decorate this Hokkien temple. More recently, I have learnt that the temple was constructed by the father of war-time hero Lim Bo Seng, Lim Loh. This self-made migrant was also in charge of building the Victoria Theatre and the Goodwood Hotel. There's still so much to learn! :)
(English translation of original Chinese language article)
Aussie Artist’s Search for Her Roots in Singapore: Her father is a local Chinese, and Mum is a Caucasian
26 March, 2018
By Chen Ying Hong
Jennifer Lim used to visit Singapore from Australia every three years or so. Although she could not communicate with her grandparents due to the language barrier, her father insisted on taking her to see the country of his birth. Henceforth, the seeds of an early yearning to seek out her roots were quietly sown.
Reunion
When it comes to the subject of seeking one’s roots, overseas Chinese invariably think about visiting mainland China. Yet Jennifer Lim, a 41 year-old artist, is a mixed Chinese-Caucasian who comes from Australia and is seeking her roots in Singapore.
Jennifer’s father is Lim Soo Khiam, a former Singaporean who once worked in the merchant navy. Soo Khiam migrated to Australia when he was 25 years old and married a Caucasian university lecturer named Robyn. Together they raised Jennifer and her brother.
Jennifer inherited her mother’s Caucasian looks such as pale skin and a high nose. She recalled that her dad used to take her to Singapore to regularly. Although she spoke only English, and her grandparents only Malay and a Chinese dialect, her father was adamant about taking her back to visit Singapore. These trips had the unwitting effect of planting the seeds of an early desire to find her roots.
Some six ago, Jennifer and her husband moved to Singapore for work. Her father came over to visit and took her to see his old house and a shophouse once owned by her great grandfather. These visits reinforced her interest in wanting to know more about her family history.
On the subject of her ancestral tree, Jennifer revealed in a somewhat embarrassed fashion that most of the material she had gathered so far came from family wakes. She recalled that “Chinese family gatherings such as weddings are usually hurried affairs and it is only during wakes that families allow themselves to slow down and take the time to chat”.
Jennifer’s search for familial material gathered pace four years ago when her father suffered a stroke which rendered him unable to walk or talk. All the data that she has found so far including ancestors’ photos and records are now collected and stored in a black document folder file.
Jennifer’s grandfather, Lim Chong Lay, used to be in charge of a warehouse, and her great grandfather, Lim Nee Yam, was the owner of a bumboat company. Her elderly relatives told her that her great grandfather was a wealthy and solidly-built man who used to live at 42 Club Street. He had a total of 3 wives.
Visiting ancestral graves is a common part of doing one’s family tree. Jennifer’s great-great grandfather, great grandfather, maternal great grandfather and maternal great grandmother are all buried at “Kopi-Hill”, also known as Bukit Brown Cemetery. When the Singapore government announced its intention to build a highway through part of the cemetery, Jennifer’s uncle organised the exhumation of the affected family tombs about six years ago. Jennifer accompanied her eldest uncle to witness the exhumation of her great grandfather’s grave.
“It was raining heavily that day and the atmosphere was laden with sadness,” she recounted. “We stood quietly under the tent and watched the Daoist priest recite his prayers in the downpour. After that, we took great grandfather’s remains to the Tse Tho Aum Temple on Sin Ming Road and deposited them in an urn.”
Jennifer, who lives in Toa Payoh, would on occasion visit the temple to offer prayers to her grandfather and other forbearers. On one such visit, she succeeded in enlisting the help of a caretaker to unlock the urn storage compartment so that she could speak to her ancestors directly.
Looking for Ancestry from the Tombstones
Jennifer has collected considerable information on her ancestry from the tomb inscriptions found at Bukit Brown Cemetery. Such tombs include place of origin and the names of descendants such as sons and grandsons. She exclaimed, “Traditional Chinese tombs record the names of family descendants in such great detail!”
Over the last few years, she has gleaned a lot about Singapore’s history from the tombstones during her visits at Bukit Brown Cemetery with a few of her “Kopi friends”, volunteer guides also known as the “Brownies”. On one such occasion, a history aficionado revealed that a stone stele listing the names of donors in the Nine Dragon Lim Clan Ancestral Hall (LCAH)on Cantonment Road included the name ‘Lim Nee Yam’. Subsequently, this friend accompanied her to the Hall, where she discovered her great grandfather’s name inscribed on the stele along with the large donation of $500.
When Mr Lim Cheng Eng, the Chairman of the hall found out that this reporter was interviewing Jennifer on location, he arranged for his committee members to welcome them.
Mr. Lim said, “The LCAH has close to 1000 members. As Jennifer is not a local Singaporean, she could not become a member. However, this does not affect her membership in the youth wing. Jennifer has participated in many of LCAH events including its 90th anniversary celebrations in November 2017. She took part in and celebrated the event with her fellow clansmen.”
He added that “It is indeed rare for someone with a foreign background such as her to show such a powerful sense of attachment to LCAH. We take great comfort in her sense of belonging. We hope that more descendants with a like background can look up her as an example and participate in our activities.”
There are two floors to the main building at LCAH and the first floor is given over to the display and storage of Lim clan ancestral tablets. Regardless of one’s ancestral origin, LKR said that anyone with the surname Lim is entitled to place his/her tablet there.
As Jennifer’s grandmother Tan Im Neo was a Peranakan Chinese, Jennifer is also very interested in Peranakan culture. The Peranakan tiles have now become a source of creative inspiration for her prints works.
Mr Lim Wen Sheng, chairman of the LCAH mutual aid association, was the first individual to take Jennifer on a tour of LCAH. Pointing to the wall inscriptions with the words “loyalty and piety”, he said that these are the two of the most valued moral virtues for the Lim clan.
Jennifer’s husband Chin Jin Guang, an Australian born Chinese, works as a project manager for the Singapore branch of an Australian international construction company. They have 2 children - a daughter, Zhi Sian (7 yrs) and a son Zhi Guang (4 yrs).
Ever since her dad suffered a stroke, Jennifer felt that the responsibility of helping her father put together the family tree fell on her shoulders. “This material is meant for our next generation. I encourage my children to learn Mandarin and told my daughter to master the language because I want them to conscientiously protect and preserve Singapore’s history”.
Jennifer smilingly said that whilst her daughter remains unfamiliar with the meaning (of this hope), and even takes the view that Bukit Brown Cemetery is ‘the hottest place in Singapore”, she hopes that her growing-up years in Singapore would become a beautiful memory for her and a wonderful start in life.
父亲是本地华人 母亲是高加索裔 澳籍女艺术家在我国寻根2018年3月26日 星期一
文/陈莹纮
摄影/朱睿彬
来自/联合早报
林薇美小时候每隔三年就会从澳洲回来新加坡探亲，尽管与祖父母语言不通，父亲还是坚持带孩子返乡，这无形中在她心灵种下寻根的种子。
说到寻根，华人通常都会想到中国。林薇美（Jennifer Lim，41岁，艺术家）却是从澳大利亚到新加坡寻根的混血儿。
林薇美的父亲林思谦是新加坡人，年轻的时候当海员，25岁移民到澳洲，跟大学讲师罗敏（Robyn，高加索裔）成婚，生了林薇美和她的弟弟。
林薇美明显继承了母亲的高加索血统，皮肤白皙，鼻子高耸。她说，小时候父亲每隔三年，就会带她回来新加坡探亲，尽管她只会说英语，而祖父母也只会讲方言和马来语，父亲还是执意带孩子返乡，这无形中在林薇美幼小的心灵种下了寻根的种子。
六年前，林薇美同丈夫和孩子移居本地工作，父亲曾来探望，还带她探访小时候住过的房子以及曾祖父曾拥有的店屋，进一步激发她想深入了解家族史。
提起族谱，她有些尴尬地透露，不少家族资料是在亲戚丧礼上收集得来的，“华人家族大聚会通常都是在办红白事的时候，而停柩那几天，家人会有比较多的时间坐下来聊聊。”
四年前，因父亲中风，无法行走和说话，促使林薇美更积极地去搜寻家族资料。她将搜集得来的资料，包括先祖的照片和文字资料，放入黑色的文件夹内。
林薇美的祖父林宗礼，生前负责管理仓库；曾祖父林汝炎是驳船公司老板。她从上了年纪的亲戚口中得知，曾祖父富有、相貌堂堂，生前住在42号客纳街（Club Street），先后娶了三个太太。
寻根少不了到先祖坟墓祭拜。林薇美的高祖父、曾祖父、外曾祖父和外曾祖母都葬在“咖啡山”（武吉布朗坟场）。六年前，政府要建高速公路，林汝炎的坟墓必须让路，林薇美随大伯到咖啡山迁移曾祖父的遗骸。
她说：“那一天有一点悲戚，大雨滂沱，我们静静地站在帐篷下，看着道士在雨中诵经。过后，我们带着曾祖父的遗骸到新民路的光明山，放入骨灰瓮。”
林薇美住在大巴窑，不时会到邻近的光明山，祭拜曾祖父和其他先祖。一次在先祖的骨灰龛前悼念时，她特地请求管理人拿钥匙打开骨灰龛，跟先祖说了几句话，再放回去。
从墓碑搜集家族资料
咖啡山坟墓的碑文，让林薇美搜集到不少家族资料，包括先祖的籍贯和子孙的名字。她赞叹道：“传统华人墓碑，家庭成员的记录实在详细！”
几年来，林薇美结识了一群“咖啡友”，经常随他们走访咖啡山，从墓碑认识新加坡历史。其中一个文史发烧友告诉她，广东民路上的林氏大宗祠石墙上的捐款名录也刻有“汝炎”这个名字。后来，这名友人专程陪她到林氏大宗祠去查寻。果然，她看到曾祖父“汝炎”的名字和“伍佰元”捐款额的记录。
林氏大宗祠九龙堂家族自治会会长林清荣日前得知记者在宗祠采访林薇美，特地和几名理事前来会见。
林清荣对记者说：“宗祠现在有近1000名会员，林薇美不是本地公民，无法加入为会员，但这不妨碍她加入青年团，宗祠的许多活动，包括去年11月举办的90周年庆典晚宴，她都参与其中，跟宗亲同乐。”
他说：“很少有像她这样的外籍宗亲，对林氏大宗祠九龙堂有这般强烈的归属感，我们非常欣慰，希望以后有更多外籍林氏的后人可以跟她看齐，来参加我们公会的活动。”
两层楼的林氏大宗祠主体建筑，一楼摆放了林氏族人的祖先牌位。林清荣说，无论什么籍贯，只要是姓林的都可以把神主牌放在那里。
互助会主席林文生当初是第一个带林薇美参观大宗祠者。他指着一楼大殿牌匾上的“忠孝”二字说：“我们姓林的人最重视的就是这两个字。”
林薇美的祖母陈阴娘是土生华人，所以她对土生华人的文化也很感兴趣，他们使用的花砖也成为她版画创作的灵感。
林薇美的澳洲籍华裔丈夫陈锦光，是澳洲一家国际房地产公司新加坡分行的项目经理。他们育有两个孩子：女儿陈智娴（7岁）和儿子陈智光（4岁）。
她说，自从父亲中风之后，她更觉得有责任代替父亲梳理族谱，“这是留给后代的资料，我让孩子学华语，还有告诉上学的女儿学好华文，要有意识地保护和保留新加坡历史”。
她笑说，女儿现在还不懂得背后的意义，甚至觉得咖啡山是“全新加坡最热的地方”，但她希望在新加坡成长的童年会给女儿留下美好回忆，成为未来美好人生的开端。
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!
Lim Clan Ancestral Hall Excursion
I've been so inspired by my connection to Singapore and love sharing it with anyone who wants to listen! I recently led a group of enthusiastic participants to the Lim Clan Ancestral Hall on Cantonment Road. It was a wonderful morning and new discoveries made. There were so many sign-ups that I'm planning another one soon! Join me & discover more of Singapore. Sign up now!
Tropical Jalan | Art Commission
Tropical Jalan is heading overseas after being commissioned by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Created using the block print method, this artwork was inspired by Chinese temples, the lush vegetation of Singapore and a touch of English ivy. The patterns were made by researching tiles found at a clan temple founded partly by my great grandfather in Singapore in 1928. The title of the artwork is a play on the Malay word Jalan, meaning to 'take a walk'.
Tropical Jalan is part of my Singapore Heritage Tile Art Collection, which is a visual exploration of family history and personal connection to various shophouses, temples and landmarks on this island nation. A sense of travel, tradition and time is captured in each work as tales of this nation's cross-cultural roots and links to the past are uncovered.
Each piece in the collection is lovingly created by hand in my heartland studio in Singapore. I use the traditional block printing method, my own hand-carved blocks, and paint colours matched by eye. This artwork is ready to hang in your home or to give to someone special. Colours and artwork size can be personalised upon request.
Discover Tropical Jalan and see more of the Singapore Heritage Tile Collection.
National Library Board Press Play Program
A pleasure to be invited to teach again at PRESSPLAY, an annual arts youth festival organised by the National Library Board. The location was the new and shiny Tampines Library - six floors of tastefully designed air-conditioned reading comfort! Lots of fun to teach a packed workshop the basics of designing and carving a rubber block to be used in fabric printing. I'm in love with the original designs created by both male and female participants! It was a busy session but everyone walked away with their freshly carved block and hot-off-the-hand-press tote bag. Look forward to seeing how everyone use these skills again in the near future!
ANZA Art Workshop
ANZA members reinventing Peranakan culture! Wonderful to have a full house of creative ladies from the Australia & New Zealand Association at a recent Peranakan Printing Express Workshop. Great to see how people tackled the design challenges of this decorative display mat. I'm happy to see how well the new border tiles worked out in these prints. Many thanks to ANZA for organising this most enjoyable session!
Book Your Own Private Workshop
A great way to spend time with friends and create with culture! Learn more.
Parent Child Art Bonding Workshop
Children make great art teachers! I love seeing the boldness and creativity that they naturally seem to have. When it comes to deciding on colour and patterns, children seem to rely on their gut feeling and appear a lot less inhibited than adult learners. I also love seeing parents working together with their kids to create something that captures a beautiful moment in time. There’s a lot to be learnt on many levels from these petite participants!
Parent Child Workshops - Get some friends together and book your private session! Inquire now.
Japan Art Residency
My Japanese host mother from high school days in Nagoya, Mrs. Samizo.
Have woodblock, will travel! I’m happy to announce that I’ve been accepted for the MI-LAB Artist- in-Residence Programme in Japan! For five weeks, I’ll be studying advanced techniques in Japanese woodblock printing near the scenic Mt. Muji. It’s a dream come true and a fantastic way to reconnect with Japan since living there as a university student many moons ago. I’m looking forward to giving you some updates as I prepare for my June departure!