Singapore, May 16, 2025 — The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) will present ‘Symphony of Ink – A Tribute to Lim Tze Peng’ concert on 7 June, a concert blending music and visual art to honour the late visual arts titan, Lim Tze Peng. This cultural tribute will take place at the SCO Concert Hall on 7 June, offering audiences an immersive experience.

“Symphony of Ink” concert is the second instalment of Cultural Titan Concert Series in collaboration with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC). Cultural Titan Concert series endeavours to celebrate contributions and achievements of distinguished artists who have been conferred the NAC Cultural Medallion. This concert is also part of SCCC’s Cultural Extravaganza 2025 series of event

Paying Tribute to Lim Tze Peng: Painting with Music, Embodying Ink in Sound

“Symphony of Ink” celebrates the legacy of Lim Tze Peng, the 2003 Cultural Medallion recipient and renowned visual artist who lived to the age of 103. His extraordinary artistic journey, innovative spirit, and profound influence have shaped Singapore’s unique cultural landscape. Under the baton of SCO’s Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong, this concert will seamlessly weave Lim’s life and artistic philosophy into the world of Chinese orchestral music, using melodies and visual imagery to narrate Singapore’s cultural identity.

Principal Conductor Quek Ling Kiong shared “Symphony of Ink is more than a concert—it’s a profound artistic dialogue across disciplines. Inspired by Lim Tze Peng’s brush and spirit, we distill a uniquely Singaporean artistic voice through four chapters that reflect his devotion to culture, society, and family. This is a cultural tribute painted with music and voiced through art.”

Four Chapters: A New Cultural Dialogue

The concert unfolds through four distinctive chapters, each illustrating deep cultural themes and artistic dialogues.

Chapter 1: Affinity of Ink

Exploring the emotional connection between music and painting, this chapter features Simon Kong Su Leong’s Izpirazione II and Sulwyn Lok’s The Cry of Solo River, reflecting the Southeast Asian influence that shaped Lim’s artistic journey.

Chapter 2: Legacy of Ink

This chapter focuses on Lim’s legacy, his soul, and the spirit that continues to inspire generations of artists, through The Ceilidh, composed by Eric Watson. Beyond his numerous accolades and recognition, it aims to highlight the places his artworks have travelled to and the landscapes he painted with his ink. Moreover, it tells the heartfelt story of his devotion to his family, particularly his deep love for his wife.

Chapter 3: Impression of Ink

Through musical pieces such as Liong Kit Yeng’s Kreta Ayer, Law Wai Lun’s River of Life, Mvt II: A Prosperous River, and Zhao Jiping’s In Search of the Roots of the Ancient Pagoda Tree, this chapter delves into the perseverance and resilience of Singapore’s Chinese community. By integrating Lim’s artworks with these compositions, audience can experience a mesmerizing fusion of visual and auditory storytelling

Chapter 4: Symphony of Ink

This chapter presents two world premieres: Symphony of Ink by Wang Chenwei and Spirit of Ink by Luo Maishuo.

• Symphony of Ink: Composed by Wang Chenwei, this work translates the artistic elements of lines, colours, and textures into a Chinese orchestral symphony, creating a musical interpretation of the aesthetics of ink painting.
  
• Spirit of Ink: This piece captures the essence and emotion behind Lim’s innovative calligraphy style. It highlights the three characters he specially inscribed, as a gift for the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.

A Multi-Dimensional Artistic Encounter

More than just a musical performance, this concert offers a multi-layered exploration of art and culture. Audiences will witness live orchestral performances inspiring artistic expression while experiencing how Lim’s artistic philosophy continues to influence contemporary musical compositions.