Presenting and promoting Singapore-produced art

Mrs Emi Eu, Director, STPI,

Mr Alex and Mr John Turnbull,

Distinguished guests,

Good evening.

1. I am happy to be here with you for the opening of the exhibition, “Kim Lim: Sculpting Light”.

2. As many of you would know, Kim Lim was a prominent Singapore-born artist.  She has exhibited at prestigious international platforms such as the International Biennale of Prints in Tokyo, and her works are collected by top institutions such as Tate Gallery in London, and the Nagaoka Museum of Modern Art in Japan.  Needless to say, we are proud to have Kim Lim's works in Singapore's national collection.

3. Today, we have the opportunity to appreciate Kim Lim's works up close, in the first major solo showcase of her repertoire in Singapore for more than 30 years.  It is a fitting testament to Kim Lim's talent that this significant exhibition is part of the rich and diverse offerings of Singapore Art Week 2018, our pinnacle visual arts festival. 
   

4. It is also appropriate that today's exhibition has been organised by STPI, a leading creative workshop and contemporary art gallery which reflects many of the same characteristics as Kim Lim's own work:

   a. For example, both STPI and Kim Lim are known for innovation in their work.STPI's Creative workshop, and particularly its artist collaboration programme, serves as an incubator for artists to push the boundaries of print and papermaking techniques.Similarly, Kim Lim experimented with Eastern and Western approaches towards paper and sculpture, through which she developed her unique aesthetic of treating paper as a sculptural material, and using light and shadow as shaping elements;

   b. Moreover, STPI presents and promotes Singapore-produced art at international platforms, similar to how Kim Lim exhibited at many group shows and public collections internationally.Both STPI and Kim Lim have therefore contributed to raising the profile of Singapore, and Singapore artists, around the world.

5. Please join me in congratulating STPI for the successful organisation and opening of “Kim Lim: Sculpting Light”. I hope that many of you will have the opportunity to participate in STPI's other activities, including its regular engagement of the public through talks and panel discussions on contemporary art.  I would also like to extend my appreciation to Kim Lim's family and Estate, particularly her sons Alex and John, who are with us today.

6. Thank you, and I wish you an enjoyable evening ahead.