National Gallery Singapore presents Kim Lim: The space between. A retrospective – the most comprehensive museum survey to date of Singapore-born British artist Kim Lim’s work. This landmark exhibition is organised into four thematic and periodic sections, each highlighting Lim’s predominant aesthetic preoccupations of the time. The exhibition is the third installment of the Gallery’s four-part SG Artist series.

Opening on 27th September 2024, Kim Lim: The space between. A retrospective marks the first rigorous attempt to reposition Lim as a major figure in 20th-century sculpture and printmaking. Unprecedented in its scope, the exhibition features over 150 works, including critical sculptures and prints spanning four decades, as well as maquettes, never-before-seen photographs, and archival materials. The artworks and archival materials provide fresh insights into Lim’s artistic journey, philosophy, and creative relationships and showcase how she used the power of suggestion and metaphor to masterfully balance light, space, and rhythm to great effect.

Dr. Eugene Tan, CEO and Director of National Gallery Singapore says, “We are honoured to celebrate the life and work of Kim Lim, an extraordinary Singapore-born artist who has contributed to global art histories. Leaving Singapore for London at just seventeen, Lim gained considerable recognition for her art during her lifetime. She developed a distinctive Minimalist artistic language, informed by her travels between Europe and Asia and marked by subtlety, resolve, and occasional playfulness, offering a counterbalance to the male-dominated sculptural traditions of the 20th century. However, like many artists who moved abroad, Lim's contributions were sometimes overlooked until recently. Since its opening in 2015, the National Gallery Singapore has presented Lim’s artworks in various exhibitions, with the view that a retrospective for her was imperative. As such, Kim Lim: The Space Between. A Retrospective attempts to remedy the historical exclusion of female artists from art history. The time to rediscover Kim Lim is now”.

Alex and Johnny Turnbull (Estate of Kim Lim), say, “We are honoured to see our mother, Kim Lim, celebrated in this major retrospective at the National Gallery Singapore. Although she spent much of her artistic life in the UK, she remained deeply connected to Singapore and Asia, which is also vividly evident in her artworks. We are thrilled by the growing international recognition of her artistic legacy and are proud to have this comprehensive exhibition of her work in Singapore, where her art and remarkable life can continue to inspire and resonate with new audiences”.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel Group’s Chief Executive Officer, says, “Singtel is proud to support this landmark retrospective on the visionary artist, Kim Lim. As a company with a strong heritage closely interwoven with Singapore, we recognise the importance of nurturing and celebrating our arts and artists. This exhibition is a testament to the high calibre of art talents emerging from Singapore and their ability to stand on the global stage. We are honoured to partner with National Gallery Singapore to bring works of key figures in art history to the public and contribute to a greater appreciation of their influence”.