Joo Hong's Inks

Joo Hong's Inks

Opening reception: Wed 16th January, 7:00pm Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays to Fridays 11am-7pm,
Saturday 11am-6pm and by appointment
Lim Joo Hong: 1954-2005

Late artist Lim Joo Hong - who is known for the art working style of combining brush strokes and spatter marks on the computer - had artistic interests that originated in charcoal, watercolors, and Chinese ink painting.

On 16th Jan, to commemorate his life and his work, his daughter Tricia and wife Jessie will be organizing an exhibition, Joo Hong’s Inks, to showcase 24 of his early ink paintings.

Lim, who died at the age of 51, had a short and distinctive career as an artist after stepping down as the CEO of Singapore Computer Systems (SCS) in 2003. In his 20-year-long career in the information technology industry, he was a systems engineer and program manager with the Ministry of Defense before moving to the then National Computer Board. In the late 1990s, he helmed an Internet start-up company called Tricast. In 2003, he resigned after seven months as SCS' CEO, citing ill health stemming from hypertension and high cholesterol levels as the reason.

The father of three, who studied Chinese painting under cultural medallion winner Chua Ek Kay, was just beginning to attract critical and public interest as an artist when he collapsed at home after jogging on the night of Dec 28 last year.
His earlier work gives a modern spin on traditional Chinese brushwork and pushes the boundaries of the use of Chinese ink on rice paper. Through his art, Lim invites us to imagine forms within his brushwork - a rainfall, a palace, a swinging chandelier and interlocking leaves. In turn, he reveals to the audience his fascination with China (after living there from 1995 to 1998) and the rich western influences he was exposed to throughout his life.

The Singapore Art Museum had acquired two of his prints, Inside the Crystal Labyrinth and May, in 2003. He had also completed a commission of some 150 artworks for a new Four Seasons hotel in the Maldives.

Lim’s earlier exhibitions include Promise and Shared Passions (a two person show held with ceramist and wife, Jessie Lim) and Promise II, held posthumously in Singapore, Langkawi and Kular Lumpur. In 2006, Lim’s prints was featured in Hyper Design, the 6th Shanghai Biennale.

Lim has left behind dozens of works he tirelessly created throughout his life. These works are managed by his family, and can be found on http://www.limjoohong.com.

This exhibition will be opened by Mr. Kwok Kian Chow, Director of Singapore Art Museum, and ends on Tuesday, 12th February.

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陈家毅

我认识的林裕丰，中学时代开始就爱涂涂画画；当时学校有一份文艺刊物，还有一份年尾才派送，万生期待的校刊。 林裕丰的绘画与设计，往往就成了它令人眼前一亮的封面，总结了一整个年头，强而有力全校师生对外的呈辞。

校内的人也不觉得不寻常——这位相貌和蔼一点并不炫耀的理科生，艺术天份竟然如此不同凡响；或许科学家、物理学家，与艺术家对事物的好奇心与态度毕竟是一样的 : 默默耕耘在练习簿上的涂描，开拓结果的是一个令人意想不到崭新的境界。

许多年之后，经过牛津，住过北京；当过总裁，成家立业之后，半百之年的裕丰毅然放下世俗的繁华富贵，每天每天专注用神在宣纸上沾染水墨画彩，旁人恐怕不会明白，其实他正在点滴延续寻返青少年涂涂画画那段净真纯美的日子。

怀着科学家爱探索的精神他看到了数码打印可以跨越艺术的无穷潜质。 两年前展出的版画作品，是一次破天荒的尝试。 可惜真祗是那么的一次。 天嫉英才无奈又无情，让我们扼腕叹息。

在他版画创作的过程间我探望了他好几次，惊讶地发现鬼斧神功科学数码影相的背后竟另藏了一叠日夜辛勤的水墨真迹；那些浓稀液体滴染开来的形相，既属於传统中国画也属於西方抽象派的艺术。看似简单无奇的变形虫，目睹之后在我们的脑里逐渐发酵，化成医室里透明胶质检验盘上淌留的血迹，天空乍然散开笑脸式的烟花，那么含蓄温文尔雅，那么从容充裕丰姿，正正如其人。

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“裕丰遗墨”展

展期 ： 2008年1月16日 至2月12 日
时间 ： 星期二至五 – 11：00 至 19：00
星期六 – 11：00 至 18：00
地址 ： 陈家毅艺术空间
16-17 Duxton Hill Singapore 089600
Tel – 6423 0198 Fax – 6423 0197