In a Facebook post on Monday night, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam thanked Mr Lim for his “remarkable contribution to Singapore art and national identity”.
“Lim Tze Peng also showed us how life itself can be painted. Growing up poor in a kampong in Pasir Ris, he extracted oil from more than 100 coconuts every day to sell,” he said.
The ongoing exhibition of Mr Lim’s work at the National Gallery covers the breadth of his work over eight decades.
“From his evocative ink paintings of Singapore’s changing scenes, to his calligraphy, and to his abstract art. Lim Tze Peng was convinced that the arts will raise the quality of life, and people’s spirits. We should honour that conviction,” said the president.
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat called Mr Lim an “iconic figure” in Singapore’s art scene.
“Even in his centennial years, Mr Lim remained an active and innovative artist, with an unwavering dedication to his craft,” said Mr Heng in a Facebook post.
When he met Mr Lim in October last year, the artist shared that he began each morning practising Chinese calligraphy.
“My deepest condolences to Mr Lim’s family. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” said the deputy prime minister.
