Swee Eng graduated from National University in 1990 with a degree in Arts and Social Sciences. Art has always been Swee Eng’s passion from an early age and has never left her even after she graduated from NUS. This love for art has brought her to seek out the tutelage of several artists. She had tutorship with Soh Siew Kiat from 1982 to 1984 and Artist Phoon Poh Wai from 2015 till present. She also had a short tutorship with Artist Liu Kang in the 80s. She is very grateful to meet these people who tutorship her in her art journey where they shaped her art of what it is today.
Nanyang art movement of the 1950s was one of the most important movements of Singapore’s cultural history featuring Southeast Asian subject matter and blending western and Chinese painting techniques. It is truly emblematic of the spirit of the locale and pioneered by the following Singaporean masters artists namely Cheong Soo Pieng, Geogette Chen, Koeh Siah Yong, Liu Kang, Chen Wen Xi, just to name a few. The significance of Nanyang art is one that is deeply inspirational to Swee Eng and became a great influence of her painting. She is determined to continue the legacy and hope that her art will bring value to the younger generation by elucidating aspects of traditional Southeast Asian culture and lifestyle through her works.
As Singapore and some parts of Southeast Asia continues to develop in her rapid pace, the lifestyles of simpler times will soon fade into the past. As such Swee Eng hopes that by encapsulating such moments in her paintings, she can evoke memories to those who have lived through those times, as well as preserve it for the younger generation. She hopes that her works can be a window to those who have never seen and experience such scenes and time can feel and imagine them through her art.
Greatly inspired by Nanyang local artists Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen Liying, as well as Western artists Georges Seurat and Vincent Van Gogh, she adapted and created her own expressive style, which is a blend of pointillism and Batik design techniques on Southeast Asian Cultural lifestyle subject matter. Swee Eng loves the intricacy of Batik design, and the hard work put into these individually handcrafted pieces. She hopes that through her art, more people can get to know about this traditional art form by incorporating Batik designs in her paintings. Also, to influence the younger generations through art appreciation on the subject matter.
One of the characteristics of the Nanyang art is how it allows artists to appreciate Southeast Asian life in the 50s. Though life was hard during that period, the artists, in their choice of subject matter, focused on capturing simple joys of everyday life. As modern life becomes increasingly stressful, Swee Eng hopes that her works can help viewers to slow down and refocus on life’s little pleasures and build strong relationship with people around showing respect to each other.
It was through art, that she walked out of her own dark valley in 2013. She is grateful for her mentor, Mr Phoon Poh Wai, who played a great role in her recovery with his constant encouragement to keep pointing her to pursue her interest and love for art. Many years of hardwork and mentor has resulted in her present achievements. She is thankful and grateful that God had led her to her divine encounter with Mr Phoon during her darkest period. Having gone through this dark period, she hopes that her art will bring a source of positivity and encouragement for those who are struggling with their own issues. With her vivid and vibrant paintings, she would like to convey hope, happiness, love, kinship and nostalgia.
Swee Eng’s biggest art inspirations are Lee Man Fong, Prof Zhao Shao Ang, Zou Wu Ji, Fernando Amorsolo, Vincent Van Gogh, Geogres Seurat, just to name a few. The study of their works have allowed her to constantly reflect upon her own style and purpose, Her love for art is an ongoing, never ending journey, and she would love nothing more than to continue the Nanyang art by playing with vibrant artist colours and bringing joy, encouragement, hope and warmth to her viewers.
In conclusion, Swee Eng is holding on the believes that God’s vision given to her in 2014 during one of the vision nights in Trinity Christian Centre that God will send people from all over the world to her, makes her feels that her painting will one day become part of Singapore Cultural history that will be recognised globally. Therefore, she uses artist colours for her painting so that in years to come, the colours in her painting can be preserved to it’s best for the local and global viewers or owners of her painting. All Glory to God!
Biography of Lim Swee Eng
Swee Eng was inspired by her teacher’s watercolour paintings in her teens. She decided to pursue watercolour painting, believing that mastering watercolour skills would give her a solid foundation in the visual arts. Thus she studied under local artist Soh Siew Kiat for 2 years before her ‘A’ levels, and achieved a distinction in Art for her GCE ‘A’ levels as a private candidate. After a 27-yr hiatus, Swee Eng finally picked up her brushes again and experimented in acrylic painting.
Her first copy painting of Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses (1889) was highly successful, and now hangs proudly in her home. She discovered delightedly, that with a bit of adjusting, acrylic painting offered her a different way of self-expression.
As she venture into oil painting with famous Artist Phoon Poh Wai’s guidance, her discovery of what this medium can bring excites her and it liberated her from her traditional notions of what art should be. Thus began a new period in her artistic journey, where she is learning to break out and go beyond herself. She hopes to paint full-time to share her love for painting with as many homes as possible.