Lim Kim Hai


Lim Kim Hai

Lim Kim Hai  (1950 Malaysia) Graduated from the Singapore Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in 1972, Kim Hai attended the distinguished Ecole national superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France from 1975 to 1980. He gained recognition there with a slew of prestigious awards: Golden Award in the salon des Artistes Francais (1982), Silver Award in the Salon International Du Val D’Or (1984), Salon de mante la jolie, Rotary Club Award (1986), Prix Henri Lehman (peinture) from the institut de France, Academy des beaux (1986) and Golden and Public Awards from 52 Salon des Beaux Arts, Enghien –les-Bains (1987). His 17 years’ stay in Paris earned him fame and popularity in France.

Kim Hai’s credentials in France enable the launching of his art-career back home. He is one of the top artists in Malaysia having international audience. His works have been showcased widely in Malaysia, United Kingdom, Japan, United States, Lebanon, France, Russia, Santollana, Amman, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Kim Hai is most renowned for his impressive hyperrealist painting of apples, although being highly skilled, he could paint anything he intends`. His variety of apples represent the many actions and aspects of people. The apples reflect a complicated society. It is indeed not about apples, it is about oil painting. To the ignorant eye, it is easy to categorise Kim Hai’s apples paintings as being all the same. However, the measure of difference reflects the measure of his improvement. No two apples in his paintings are the same.

Kim Hai’s artworks are popular collection among the government, large corporations and private collectors. For examples: St Amand Montrond State Library (French), French Embassy (Malaysia), Hyatt Hotel, Country Templer Club, Hong Leong Bank, RHB Bank,Maybank, Nanyang Press, Soka Gakki Malaysia, Malaysian Paper Carton Manufacturers Sdn Bhd, Mamee Sdn Bhd, United Overseas Bank etc.