The biting cold of a Beijing winter was the precursor for artist Jessie Lim to discover a new way to express herself.
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Sculptor Jessie Lim gains her inspiration from the environment, colours and textures around her. [By Marc Checkley/chinadaily.com.cn]
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Lim's clay sculptures are on show in the capital as part of the Singapore Season, a month-long celebration of the Lion City's diverse culture, tastes, art and history. The works of seven local artists feature in Hybricity at Loft 3 Art Gallery in the Factory 798 art district.
Lim who discovered her love of clay while studying in the US, says much of her current work came about from living with her late husband in Beijing in the early 90s.
"I used to make functional ware," Lim explains. "I used the garage of the house as my studio but during the winter it was so cold I couldn't throw the clay on the wheel. Out of necessity I had to start hand building. From there my work became more sculptural."
Lim's series of works will feature in an exhibition in Hong Kong from January 18. [By Marc Checkley/chinadaily.com.cn] |
Lim says she spends at least eight to 10 hours a day on her art and works on a number of series at the same time. Even her Sundays, she adds, can be spent at 'the wheel' in her studio containing three kilns and six wheels.
While sculpting her own art, Lim also takes about 30 students and in January will begin teaching at the Singapore School of the Arts.
Her distinctive, almost otherworldly pieces for Hybricity are part of a larger solo exhibition that premieres in Hong Kong in January, a collection more than two years in the making.
"I was hesitant to come to Beijing because I was preparing for Hong Kong which will have around 40 to 50 pieces, so it is quite a big show. Now that I'm here I have no regrets, I think it's really great."
Lim says she gains inspiration from the environment and incorporates various shapes, textures and colours. "I hesitate to describe what they look like. I leave it up to the viewer to decide, generally the shape is indefinite."
Her love of clay was borne from afternoons spent in New Hampshire where she was studying. She says the training was very informal and she could create anything she wanted.
"I love the feel of clay. It's so soft and yet you can make something so hard from it."
Recently Lim begun experimenting with new art forms and is keen to work with metals such as silver and bronze.
"I'm really excited about using metal – it will be a whole new dimension for me. Foundry work is a dying art, so old. But so is pottery," she laughs.
Lim's work is on display until Sunday. The Singapore Season, staged at a number venues around the city, runs till November 11.
