The Gaze of Sleepwalkers
Wei-Ling Gallery is pleased to present ‘The Gaze of Sleepwalkers’ that marks H.H. Lim’s highly anticipated second solo exhibition in Malaysia after a decade, following his debut exhibition, ‘The Beginning of Something’, featured at Wei-Ling Contemporary in 2014.
In this series of thirteen paintings and installation pieces, Lim draws a parallel between the human condition and the surrounding ecosystem. Wild animals, coexisting within their isolated habitats, appear as observers casting a contemplative gaze upon humanity’s current state of being. The narrative dissects the dichotomy between the observer and the observed, exposing our collective stance as involuntary ‘sleepwalking’ participants in a world rife with turmoil and unrest.
H.H. Lim describes this connection by stating, “One of the longest journeys of my life is the day-by-day and year-by-year journey between home and the studio. It’s a repetitive journey akin to a happy-go-lucky sleepwalker, walking on a razor’s edge. Incredibly, each path is never the same, both visually and emotionally, particularly in the nuances of the path entrusted solely to the senses, with the mind absent. What an emotional sensation to feel disoriented in my own world!”
Lim unveils a striking truth: despite technological advancements, humanity remains ensnared in primal instincts, chasing ephemeral desires of wealth and power. The symbolism embedded within the works subtly addresses socio-political themes, notably the pervasive influence of materialism and its impact on our ethical compass.
A recurring motif, a money sack, is a commentary on societal values. Its understated presence within the paintings hints at the inherent imbalance between opulence and necessity, prompting viewers to ponder the incessant demand for resources in a world increasingly divided by disparities.
H.H. Lim’s adept visual storytelling in ‘The Gaze of Sleepwalkers’ beckons the observer to explore a nuanced reflection of their existence. It encourages a stimulating reexamination of behaviour, akin to waking from a dream, regarding shared responsibility in shaping a more conscientious and equitable world.
‘The Gaze of Sleepwalkers’ is featured at Wei-Ling Gallery from 27 January – 30 March 2024.
Wei-Ling Gallery is located at No 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Admission hours are Tuesday – Friday 10am – 6pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm.
Exhibition is open by appointment only. For appointments and further assistance, please contact +60322601106 or e-mail siewboon@weiling-gallery.com
ABOUT THE ARTIST
H.H. LIM (B.1954)
H.H. Lim is an artist who has resided between Rome and Penang Island in Malaysia since 1976 and founded Edicola Notte in 1990, a renowned art space in Rome. His multidisciplinary practice reflects the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, expressed through a diverse range of mediums such as video, installation, painting, and performance. Conceptually inclined, Lim’s works explore the transient nature of significance, often piecing together elements of the subconscious, symbolism, memory, and language in a playful yet irreverent manner. His pieces frequently acquire new and paradoxical meanings when juxtaposed with others.
Lim’s artistic footprint extends globally. In 2019, he represented Malaysia at the 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, showcasing ‘Timeframes‘, a collection encapsulating cerebral and physical journeys within a triptych painting and an installation featuring 28 chairs and four video films. These works reflect Lim’s peripatetic life, intertwining time, place, and memory as foundational elements in his exploration of meaning.
His exhibitions span a vast chronology of international showcases, beginning with ‘Sweet Taboo‘ ‘Go Inside‘ at the 3rd Tirana Biennial in Albania (2005) and progressing through notable shows such as ‘Gone with the Wind‘ at UCCA Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing (2010), ‘Hidden Treasure’ at the GNAM National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome (2011), the 55th Venice Biennale (2013), the 6th Prague Biennale (2016), 12th Dakar Biennale (2016) and the Singapore Biennale (2016). Lim’s presence continued with exhibitions at the KL Biennale at National Arts Gallery in Malaysia (2017), MAXXI in Rome for two major exhibitions called ‘PLEASE COME BACK. Il Mondo Come Prigione?‘ (2016) and ‘RE-EVOLUTION. The Place To Be’ (2017), as well as ‘Seen‘ (2018) and ‘Aesthetics of Silence‘ (2021) at Wei-Ling Contemporary, Kuala Lumpur.
Further highlights include exhibitions at the Biennale of Urbanism Architecture in Shenzhen, China (2019), and his participation in the Thailand Biennale organised by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) and the Ministry of Culture (2021), in addition to that he also presented, ‘Out of the dead end’ at OCAT Shenzhen Pavilion, China.
In 2022, Lim participated in ‘Opera Opera‘ at Palais Populaire, Berlin where it featured the important protagonists of Italian contemporary art and numerous international artists from the MAXXI collection.
Continuing his prolific display into 2023, Lim showcased his work at various locations in Italy including ‘In dialogo con Giotto‘ in GiottoHouse Museum in Florence, ‘In Ceramica‘ at MAXXI L’Aquila in Abruzzo, ‘The long journey around one meter seventy‘ at Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Nives and ‘No words can speak‘ at Fondazione Baruchello, both in Rome.
