WOAW Gallery Singapore recently opened In Search of Nocturnal Worlds, a solo by Hong Kong-based artist William Lim. The series is inspired by Lim’s fond memories of visiting Singapore’s Night Safari 25 years ago.
Lim’s works are, at first glance, magnetic with their brilliant contrasts in colour. Luminous shades of fuchsia, magenta, and crimson pop against deeper emerald and cobalt tones, inviting you to inspect these shadowy environments up close. Look closer and you’ll slowly notice all the nocturnal animals hidden in lush landscapes. Some of the animals portrayed include deer and panthers; references to Lim’s admiration of fine jewellery brands, such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier, incorporating such animal imagery into their designs.
Architectural elements, such as archways, aqueducts, and bridges, strikingly feature in and frame Lim’s compositions. These elements create a single-point perspective in the paintings, in an ode to his architectural background. There are also a few nods to Lim’s Chinese heritage, with a trio of paintings boasting Chinese floral symbols of resilience, such as bamboo and plum blossoms.
Highlighting how manmade architecture encroaches on landscapes that remain populated by wild, elegant creatures, Lim’s paintings invite us to consider our impact on the natural world.
Check out the images below for a peek at the exhibition! In Seach of Noctural Worlds runs at WOAW Gallery Singapore till 22 July 2023.
Feature image courtesy of WOAW Gallery.
