The first successful applicant in City of Ryde’s exciting new Artist in Residence (AiR) program has begun working at Council’s dedicated studio space in the heart of Ryde.
Rooi Ping Lim is a professional artist whose specialty is urban sketching.
She was selected following an expression of interest campaign for the program, which aims to support professional development, showcase creativity in Ryde, create conversation through expression and build community connection.
As a young girl growing up in Malaysia, Rooi was fascinated with drawing, always doodling on spare bits of paper, books, cardboard, and anything else she could get her hands on, but she never thought it would become a career.
But when she discovered urban sketching in 2013, it changed her life.
“Little did I know then that this feel-good hobby would turn into a full-on passion, firing me up each day and giving me lifelong friends along the way as a bonus,” she said.
“That was the start of a good sort of addiction and my life has slowly but surely changed.”
Rooi has developed extensive knowledge about sketching, art and creativity and is very excited about spreading this with the local community.
You can see examples of her art here.
The spacious studio space at Westward Cottage offers a haven for artists like Rooi to pursue and further extend their work and creativity.
City of Ryde Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian recently visited Rooi at the studio and was impressed not only by her growing body of work but also the beautiful space that has been provided by Council.
“Rooi is already producing some great art and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it develops during her time as our first Artist in Residence,” he said.
“Programs like this are vital for harnessing some of the amazing creative spirit that exists in our City and I’m excited to see what it produces in the years ahead.”
For more details go to: www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/AIR
