Lim Yew Kuan | 林友权


1928 - 2021









Lim Yew Kuan (1928–2021), son of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts founder Lim Hak Tai, was a distinguished Singaporean artist and educator. Trained in London at the Slade School of Fine Art, he returned to Singapore to dedicate his life to the development of local art. As Principal of NAFA from 1963 to 1979, he played a pivotal role in nurturing generations of artists and strengthening the foundation of Singapore’s art education. His artistic practice encompassed painting, printmaking, and sculpture, often exploring themes of humanity, history, and cultural identity. Through both his leadership and art, Lim Yew Kuan left a lasting legacy that bridged tradition and modernity in Singapore’s art landscape.










Timeline







1928                                 Born in Xiamen, China

1948                                  Enrolled in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1949                                  Graduated from Chong Hua Institute (中华艺术专科学校) of Arts, Diploma in Music Theory and Vocal (音乐理论声乐文凭)

1950                                  Graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1952 - 1994                        Became an educator in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (南洋美术专科学校)

1954                                  Exhibited at the annual show celebrating 16th anniversary of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
                                         Became a member of Chinese High Schools’ Graduates of 1953 Arts Association (星洲一九五三年度华文中学毕业班同学艺术研究会) also                                            known as Yi Yan Hui (艺研会)

1956                                  Founded and became the founding principal of The Equator Art Society (赤道艺术研究会)
                                         Exhibited in the 1st exhibition of Yi Yan Hui (艺研会)
                                         Disbandment of Yi Yan Hui (艺研会)

1958                                  Exhibited 1st exhibition of the Equator Art Society

1958- 1960                       Studied and graduated from the Chelsea School of Art, London, United Kingdom (英国伦敦切尔西艺术学院) with a National Diploma in                                           Design (Painting) (国家美术(油画)文凭)

1961                                  Studied and graduated from the Chelsea School of Art, London, United Kingdom (英国伦敦切尔西艺术学院) with a National Diploma in                                          Printmaking (国家版画制作) (Etching & Lithography; 蚀刻版画与石印术

1963 - 1979                       Became the 2nd Principal of Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts after his father, Lim Hak Tai, founding father of NAFA passed away

1966                                  Sculpted the bust of 1st President of Singapore, Mr. Yusof Bin Ishak and presented to the Istana
                                         Exhibited in “1966 Woodcut Exhibition”
                                         Exhibited in Singapore’s 1st Sculpture Show

1969                                  Exhibited in Singapore’s 2nd Sculpture Show

1979                                  Exhibited in “Pameran Retrospektif Pelukis-Pelukis Nanyang”, Kualar Lumpur, Malaysia

1980                                  Awarded the Public Service Medal, during National Day Award

1992                                  Participated in ASIA Pacific Conference at Arts Education (ASPA/CAE), Australia, Melbourne

1994                                  Exhibited in “Six Artists Exhibition”, Paragon, Singapore

1996                                  Exhibited in “A Century of Art in Singapore”
                                         Exhibited in “Nine Artists in Bali”

1997                                  Sculpted & presented the 1st president of Singapore, Mr. Yusof Bin Ishak, Yusof Ishak Secondary School
                                         Exhibited in “The Birth of Modern Art in South East Asia”

1998                                  Exhibited in “History through Prints: Woodblock Prints in Singapore”
                                         Sculpted & presented the bronze bust of Mr. Lim Hak Tai, Founding Principal, to Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts to commemorate its                                          60th anniversary

1999                                  Sculpted the bust of 2nd President of Singapore, Dr. Benjamin Sheares

2002                                  Exhibited and lectured in “Singapore in Prints:1950s to 1960s. A Historical Narrative through Woodblock Prints” at National                                                      University of Singapore (NUS)
                                         Exhibited in “Exposition des oeuvres de M. Lim Yew Kuan ‘Hommage a Paris’ “
                                         Exhibited in “Nanyang 1950-1965: Passage to Singaporean Art”

2004                                  Exhibited in “City Inspirations”, Cape of Good Hope Gallery, MICA Building
                                         Exihibited in “Soaring to the New Frontier”, NAFA

2005                                  Exhibited in “A Heroic Decade: Singapore Art 1955 - 1965”, in conjunction with Singapore’s celebration of 40 years of                                                               independence
                                          Exhibited in “Time Phase Print - 25th Anniversary of the Printmaking Society”

2006                                  Exhibited in “Imprints of the Past: Remembering the 1966 Woodcut Exhibition”

2007                                  Exhibited in “ARTSingapore”, The Contemporary Asian Art

2009                                  Sculpted and presented the life-size bronze portrait sculpture of Mr. Lim Hak Tai, Founding Principal, to NAFA
                                         Exhibit in “Art Revolution Taipei”

2010                                  Exhibition opening of “Lim Yew Kuan Retrospective Exhibition”

2011                                   Exhibit in “Crossing Visions - Singapore & Xiamen: Lim Hak Tai & Lim Yew Kuan Art Exhibition”,  Xiamen Art Museum, China

2015                                  Exhibited in “Seasons: Lim Yew Kuan”, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts









Selected Work







Shipward ( 船坞 )
1952
Oil Painting
75.5 cm x 60.5 cm
For a Living ( 日出夜归 )
2009
Oil Painting
89.5 cm x 69 cm
Singapore Embassy in Paris, France ( 新加坡驻法国大使馆 )
2002
Oil Painting
114.5 cm x 80 cm






Chess Play ( 下棋 )
Oil Painting
64.5 cm x 45 cm
Attap House ( 亚答 )
Water Color Painting
55 cm x  37.5 cm
Scenery Below the Blocks ( 楼下风景 )
1958
Ink Painting
36 cm x  24.5 cm






Indian Man ( 印度男子 )
Oil Painting
47 cm x 64.5 cm
Nude Lady ( 裸女 )
2019
Ink Painting
49.5 cm x 35 cm
Balinese House Entrance ( 巴厘岛民居入口 )
1958
Water Colour Painting
37 cm x  26 cm




Portrait of a man ( 男子肖像 )
1989
Pastel
27.4 cm x 37 cm
Purple Tranquility ( 花瓶紫语 )
Water Color Painting
36 cm x 53 cm
Portrait of a man ( 男子肖像 )
1966
Ink Painting
36 cm x 54 cm




Malay Kampung ( 马来甘榜 )
Woodcut
55.5 cm x 84 cm
Portrait of Foo Chee San
1966

( 符致珊肖像 )
Woodcut
55 cm x 37 cm
Attap Singapore
( 新加坡亚答屋 )
Woodcut
45.5 cm x 61 cm








Exhibition

















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