Kim Lim: Sculpting space and silence

WALKING into Kim Lim’s landmark exhibition at National Gallery Singapore feels like entering a retreat that requests stillness and contemplation. It is a quiet, almost solemn space where the very simplicity of the works pulls you in, asking for a kind of slow reflection that is rare in today’s world. 

Lim’s minimalism – particularly her use of natural materials and modular forms – creates a sense of calmness, while provoking a dialogue between the viewer, the materials, their forms and the space around them.

The gallery’s object placement, with its precise lighting and generous spaces in between, makes room for silence and interpretation. It successfully frames her works not just as art but a genuinely immersive experience – without the fancy, interactive, enveloping technology that passes for “immersive” these days.