Cham Lim Family of Artists & Students: Meet the Artists Behind the Brushstrokes Event at SM North - The Block
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
One of the outstanding characteristics of Chinese art is the extent to which it reflects the class structure that has existed at different times in Chinese history. This is why I'm grateful to have met the founder of the Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students because not only do they hold Chinese Art Exhibits but they also tell a legacy of how wonderful Chinese Art is and it do exists here in the Philippines.
Last January 29, Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students held an event entitled "Meet the Artists - Behind the Brushstrokes" at SM North Edsa - The Block in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Everyone who is curious and wants to know more about Chinese art-making gets the chance to know more about it via the experts, first-hand with the students and family of Chan Lim present at the event.
The exhibit, which kicked off on January 15 at The Block’s Atrium, features over 100 beautifully designed hand-painted scrolls and 144 plates from Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students.
The centerpiece highlights a grand Chinese pagoda accentuated with Chinese oil painting of Koi fishes, which symbolize success, prosperity, longevity, courage, ambition and perseverance. It took almost a week before Mr. Chan Lim finally finishes this work of art.
The exhibit also coincided with the 80th birthday of the family patriarch, Chan Lim or Angkong to his students. Chan Lim is the name used by the family patriarch in signing all his artworks. The name is formed by combining the last names of the siblings’ parents. His real name is Jose.
It was also Jose Chan Lim who got the family interested in visual arts and painting. He mastered and preferred painting in oil but the Chan Lim siblings embraced their Chinese roots and learned how to use a Chinese brush on rice paper as early as 11 years old.
Porcelain plates decorated in magnificent oil painting is a very meticulous work of art because they need to be heated so that the paint will stick to the plate.
This is the oldest Chinese painting Mr. Chan Lim created and the rest was history.
Mr. Alex Lim, one of Mr. Chan Lim's son took us on a tour and shared stories about the Chinese Art displayed at SM North - The Block
Surprisingly, none of the Chan Lim Family members have degrees related to the arts. The Chan Lim siblings Alex, Felix, Rolex and Jolex are licensed engineers and connected with multinational companies representing various industries. Innovation is an important focus area for the family. Coming from different fields and industries, the family was able to create artworks with fans, lanterns, scrolls, and porcelain plates as their canvas.
For 2017, The Chan Lim Family of Artists and Students have 8 exhibits scheduled all over the country. The family travels together with their students nationwide to grace their events and also conduct free Chinese paintings workshops.
Bound by their passion for the arts, the Chan Lims have conducted numerous art workshops, seminars, and on-the-spot painting demonstrations. Members of the family have joined several art exhibits locally and internationally.
To date, the Chan Lims have launched 11 family painting exhibits. The Chan Lim family is one of the few remaining notable Chinese brush painting artists in the Philippines today. Their paintings can be found in private collections here and abroad.
Art classes are conducted in the family studio/gallery located in Pasig City.
You may email them at chanlim@yahoo.com or visit their official Facebook page via:
The exhibit of Cham Lim Family of Artists and Students will run till February 12 at SM North Edsa, The Block.
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