Hsiang Iu Lim
Architect | Artist | Scholar
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
The painting is executed on Arches 300gsm Watercolour Paper using Schmincke Horadam paints. It depicts the reflection of the Helix Bridge over the calm waters of the Marina Bay at the mouth of the Singapore River.
The Helix Bridge, intentionally designed as a left-handed, DNA-like structure is opposite of the normal DNA found in nature. It comprises two delicate helix structures in stainless steel and is contrasted to the adjacent 6-lane vehicle bridge which is heavy in appearance.
The painting attempts to capture the contrasting characters of the bridges, as seen in the stillness of the waters beneath. The reflection of the Helix Bridge dances and flits playfully across the river compared to the stoic and sombre reflection of the adjacent vehicle bridge.
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Hsiang-Iu Lim was born in 1963. During his childhood and youth, he developed a keen interest in photography and fine arts. However, after college, he stopped painting as he was steered by his father into the study of architecture. He graduated with an honours degree in architecture from the National University of Singapore in 1990, and was subsequently awarded a scholarship by the Urban Redevelopment Authority to pursue a Masters in Architecture and Urban Design from Columbia University of New York City in 1995. He has spent much of the last 30 years practising as a professional Architect in his own office. Despite the proliferation of computer-based design tools, he is still steeped in the old school ways of pencil sketching and rendering in colour pencils and markers.
In 2014, with the encouragement of a good friend, he was persuaded to start painting in watercolours, and was admitted into the Singapore Watercolour Society in 2016. He has exhibited his works in the Singapore Watercolour Society’s 47th, 48th and 49th Annual Exhibitions.
With no formal pedagogy in fine arts, his approach to painting is self-taught and may be viewed as simplistic and naïve; as it is void of any higher philosophy or interpretation. Simply, he paints what he sees, and he paints purely for personal pleasure. His paintings are a reflection of his character and professional background; carefully executed, meticulous and detailed to a fault, but with emphasis on light and shadow, depth of field and a pure representation of reality onto paper.
Although he participates in the annual exhibition held by the Singapore Watercolour Society, he has yet to hold a solo exhibition. His collection of works is currently housed in a small personal studio and he is working on the opportunity of starting a second career as an amateur aquarellist.
Hsiang Iu Lim
1 M Figaro Street, Opera Estate, Singapore 458322.
Republic of SINGAPORE.
hsiang@hsiarch.com
hsiarch.com/aquarellist