IMG_83345 (Roots of Time)

Roots of Time is a monumental and meditative work that encapsulates Lim Tze Peng’s profound dialogue with nature — a recurring theme that evolved into a deeply symbolic language in his late career. This painting captures the labyrinthine entanglement of tree roots, rendered with vigorous brushstrokes and dynamic ink movement, evoking both the physical and spiritual endurance of nature.

The composition unfolds in a sweeping panorama of intertwining trunks and roots, their sinuous forms painted in earthy ochres, moss greens, and rich browns, layered with accents of cerulean blue and muted white. These colors intertwine like veins of life, conveying vitality, resilience, and the passage of time. The rhythmic repetition of organic curves invites the viewer into a living forest — not merely as an observer, but as part of the breathing pulse of the earth itself.

Lim’s brushwork — powerful, gestural, and deeply intuitive — bridges the sensibilities of calligraphy and abstract expression. Each stroke carries emotional weight, balancing spontaneity with control, density with emptiness. The white spaces, intentionally preserved, create breathing points — metaphors for light, spirit, and renewal amid the density of life.

For collectors, Roots of Time represents the pinnacle of Lim Tze Peng’s late “Root Series” — a body of work that transcends traditional landscape painting. It is an ode to longevity, heritage, and interconnectedness — themes that mirror both the artist’s centenarian wisdom and the enduring vitality of his artistic spirit. This masterpiece stands as a visual metaphor for the cycles of growth, decay, and regeneration — the eternal rhythm of life that defines both nature and art.