Lim Ah Cheng

Background

Lim was born in Klang, Malaysia, in 1968.

Education

Lim Ah Cheng started to paint as a young boy, when he discovered his love for art. His parents encouraged his hobby and let his creativity run wild. Later he studied Graphic Design at the Malaysian Institute of Art from 1988 till 1991. He also improved his craft under the supervision of another well-established Malaysian artist, Chong Chen Chuan, who was the Chairman of the Calligraphy Society of Malaysia between 1995 and 1999.

Career

Initally, Lim worked as an illustrator and graphic designer for an advertising firm. But his career in the corporate world didn’t last long, and several years later he decided to become a full-time painter. When he first proposed his art to Art Salon, they quickly accepted him.

Previously, the artist depicted the splendor of the orchestra performing, Balinese dance and various animal forms. Today, Lim's pivotal inspiration in the creation of his paintings is the horse. The artist is drawn to its beauty, speed as well as movement. By mixing conventional Chinese painting techniques with western abstract expressionism, he strikes a balance between the traditional and the more contemporary. This merger of East and West techniques, coupled with Fauvist and Futurist influences.

Through his rhythmical colours, inventive coordination and fusion of lines and figures, he transforms horses into semi-abstract figures. While western tradition frequently seeks tranquility from stillness and finds beauty in the motionless state, Lim Ah Cheng's paintings celebrate the randomness of motion.

In his "Metamorphosis", he uses horses as a platform for offering an introspective exploration of his personal childhood memories. Lim's "Limited Edition" series is an exploration of contemporary society's constant demand for the storage of material possessions.

Lim's one-man exhibitions include "Challenging Horses (1996-2002)", Elle Six Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, in 2002; "Melody in Harmony", Dynasties Antique and Art Gallery, Singapore, in 2004; "Flying with the Wind", Art Seni, Kuala Lumpur, in 2006; "The Passage", Momentous Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur as well as "The Passage", A2 Art Gallery, Penang, both in 2008.

In his more recent artworks, Lim Ah Cheng has developed the use of geometric shapes such as lines, squares, triangles explored in a contemporary calligraphic style.

Achievements

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  Lim Ah Cheng is a distinguished contemporary painter. His artworks gained recognition not only in his native country but also abroad. For instance, his paintings have been displayed in Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Singapore, Indonesia.
  
  The artist became a recipient of the Initiative Award 1997 from the Galeri Shah Alam.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Flying With The Wind 1-07

  • Flying With The Wind 08-07

  • Flying With The Wind 17-08

  • Flying With The Wind 19-08

  • Golden Horses

  • Rescue Dog Kuning at Pulau Selat Kering

  • Metropolitan Horses Medium

  • Golden Horse # 2

  • Symphony Orchestra

  • Metamorphosis

  • The Moving Body

  • The Rhythm Series 3

  • The Moving Body 1

  • The Moving Body 2

  • Symphony Orchestra

  • Golden Horses 15

  • Transform Red Horses 7

  • Yellow Horses

  • Challenging Horses

  • The Golden Age 9

  • Metamorphosis Metropolitan Horse 3

  • Metamorphosis - folding paper planes

  • Metamorphosis I

  • Metropolitan Horses

  • Boundless Longevity Crane

  • Flying With The Wind 20-8

  • Challenging Horses

  • Challenging Horses

  • Challenging Horses

  • Challenging Horses

  • Couple

  • The Moving Body

  • The Moving Body

  • Symphony Orchestra

  • Symphony Orchestra

  • Pleasure

Views

Quotations: "During my younger days, I began painting horses because I admired their fluidity and motion. I was mesmerized by their graceful movement, which is what I strive to capture in my paintings. A mentor of mine, another artist, gave me the advice that I should continue painting horses as it was a unique subject and something that would make me stand out. He advised me to use that as my trademark. His words really stuck with me, so I continued to paint horses as my main subject."

"I like to say that my work is East meets West, contemporary elements combined with oriental. In the West, people normally appreciate horses in their body form, the beauty of torso from head to toe, while Asians usually prefer depicting scenes of horses running in group to show the powerful strength of their speed of either running of galloping. I combine these elements in a semi-abstract way to highlight both the beauty of the animal and the strong movement of their bodies, using oils and acryclics."

"My latest series focuses on the orchestra. I really enjoy the constant movement of the players and instruments. I also really like Indian classical dance which has been the subject of a previous series."

"I like Chinese ink painting. And at the beginning, I was learning many mediums because I wanted to explore. As I slowly expose myself to the world of art, I unearthed my love for brush strokes and oil painting."

"Truthfully, the burden that comes with being an artist is okay for me. I don’t require much in life. Definitely, having a secure job would mean a better, more stable life. But it’s an entirely different thing. To be an artist is what I’ve wanted to be."

Interests

• horses