There’s something different about visiting a museum – the quiet serenity of wandering between exhibits and admiring what different artists have to say through their pieces. It’s an unspoken routine to head down to the museum a couple of times a year just to soak in the vibes and stroll through the hallways. However, I’ve always had a soft spot for local and Asian artists. If you’re like me, then be sure to check out Kim Lim: The Space Between. A Retrospective at the National Gallery Singapore. As part of the Gallery’s series in honour of Singaporean Artists, this exhibition is the third instalment.
Unlike the usual styles of this male-dominated industry, Lim’s works are inspired by her travels between Europe and Asia and carry a distinct Minimalistic style weaved with subtlety, resolve and occasional playfulness. Unfortunately, like many artists who moved abroad during the 20th century, Kim Lim’s works have been overlooked until recently. As such, this exhibition aims to reposition the artist as a critical figure in 20th-century sculpture and printmaking as well as address the historical oversight of female artists in art history.
Featuring over 150 works spanning 40 years, this exhibition explores Lim’s artistic evolution. Explore how she defies traditional norms and forges her path in the artistic landscape through exclusive photographs, archival materials as well as iconic pieces from different eras of her artistic journey. The exhibition is split into 4 thematic sections: Early Works: Assembling, Delineating, Keen Edges, Eccentric Colour, Light, Space, and Rhythm, and The Weight of a Line.
Early Works: Assembling, Delineating
The exhibition opens with the foundation of Lim’s early works. A recurring pattern of columnar works is present explicitly in this section and also serves as a repeated motif later throughout her career. Despite the use of elements from her earlier works being present even later on, her fresh perspective and ongoing exploration emphasise the evolution of her ideas over time.
Not one for tradition, Kim Lim had her works placed directly on the floor, implying that her structures rise from the ground directly rather than as a mere support to the piece. Pieces like Centaur II (1963) presented a delicate and nuanced interpretation of strength and height, subverting the more common hypermasculine ideals that existed in the sculptural scene in the 1960s.
The curves and slenderness of the piece were a direct contrast to the focus on masculinity and power of the era. Such pieces not only set her apart from the norm but also exemplified her mastery of form and material.
Keen Edges, Eccentric Colour
This next section sees Lim’s bold departure from usual sculptural materials and more towards industrial materials such as aluminium and fibreglass. The unusual nature of her chosen materials allowed for alternative textures and forms, allowing her to challenge traditional norms. Though seemingly simplistic, her works from this era emphasised a clean and precise form. Her pieces continued to carry her minimalistic style while also focusing on colour, edge and negative space.
Due to the bright industrial paint used on her pieces, the textures of the materials are hidden, thus drawing focus to the geometry and planes of her pieces instead. The dive into industrial materials showcased her willingness to delve into experimental practices, reflecting her creative and adaptive nature which is crucial to the everchanging artistic landscape.
Light, Space, and Rhythm
Diving into the exploration of light and space, Kim Lim once again veers away from the traditional explorations of mass and volume. With a recurring motif of negative space, she creates a sense of “in-betweenness” in this era of her works. Due to Lim’s background as a Singapore-born artist living in Britain, her works carried a significant influence from both Europe and Asia, bringing forth a unique artistic language that blends them seamlessly. This cultural in-betweenness is reflected in how her artworks cannot be restricted to one specific style.
Through a deliberate arrangement to cast varying shadows, light and space become key players in the appreciation of her pieces. This highlights the importance of the space around and between the forms, showcasing how those aspects are just as important as the forms themselves.
The emphasis on rhythm plays a significant role in her pieces as Lim balances movement and energy without restricting audiences’ interpretation of her artworks. A different angle provides a different point of view, provoking a more emotional and intelligent understanding of her artworks beyond just visual appreciation. It introduces a fluid way of thinking as there is no correct way to interpret her artwork.
While many might simply dismiss her designs and just take them at face value, I love how each piece can have multiple interpretations. Depending on your point of view and perspective, how you understand a single piece could be drastically different from how anyone else understands it – doesn’t this essentially create a multitude of unique artworks?
The Weight of a Line
The final section denotes Lim’s shift into stone carving, representing a final significant evolution after working with a diverse set of materials throughout her career. This culmination has Kim Lim turning away from man-made materials, instead focusing on stone carving that was inspired by her observations of the natural world. Delving into organic forms, rhythms and lines, Lim aimed to create an experience and evoke responses that transcended just the art piece itself.
Rather than the usual marble’s architectural connotations, organic stone is used to carve flowing shapes and natural rhythms, reflecting a deeper connection with nature. Emphasised through gentle undulations and precise incisions, Lim is able to bring out the subtlety of stone. Driven by the inherent qualities of her materials, Lim dived into the challenge of using harder materials to create fluid shapes.
Reminiscent of the archipelago of the Malaysian coast, Langkawi calls to mind a relaxing time with crystalline waters and beautiful beaches. Through the contours in the stone sculpture, I am reminded of water flowing as rocks and stone guide the river along – a beautiful image of tranquillity.
Kim Lim: The Space Between. A Retrospective
Curious about the behind-the-scenes of how all these pieces came about? Interwoven with each section of the exhibition are never-before-seen photographs and maquettes, displaying her thinking process. These materials not only enrich audiences’ understanding of her pieces but also reveal fresh new facets of Lim’s practices and inspiration, spotlighting the innovation in her artistry.
Can’t wait to check out all her pieces for yourself? Luckily for you, there is an early bird discount of 10% off if you book through the gallery’s website. The offer ends on 31 October so be sure not to miss it!
🗓️Date: 27 September 2024 – 2 February 2025
📍Location: Singtel Special Exhibition Galleries 2 & 3, National Gallery Singapore, Singapore 178957
💲Price: $25 ($15 for Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents)
Visuals courtesy of National Gallery Singapore
