Koi for good luck and other artworks by the Chan Lim family at SM

SM City North EDSA welcomes the Year of the Rooster with an exhibit of plates and scrolls by the Chan Lim family of artists and students at The Block Atrium on view until Feb. 12.

The Block’s Atrium is festooned with over 100 beautifully designed hand-painted scrolls and adorned with 144 plates by the featured artists. The centerpiece is a grand Chinese pagoda accentuated with Chinese oil paintings of koi fish, which symbolize success, prosperity, longevity, courage, ambition and perseverance.

The celebrations at SM City North EDSA also coincide with the 80th birthday of the family patriarch, Chan Lim or “Angkok” to his students. Chan Lim is the name used by the family patriarch in signing all his artworks. The name is formed by combining the last names of the parents. His real name is Jose.

It was also Jose Chan Lim who got the family interested in the visual arts. He mastered painting in oil, but the Chan Lim siblings embraced their Chinese roots and learned how to use Chinese brush on rice paper as early as 11 years old.

None of the Chan Lim family members has degrees related to the arts. The Chan Lim siblings Alex, Felix, Rolex and Jolex are licensed engineers and connected with multinational companies representing various industries. Innovation is important for the family. Coming from different fields and industries, the family was able to create artworks with fans, lanterns, scrolls and porcelain plates as their canvas.

For 2017, the Chan Lim family of artists and students have eight exhibits scheduled all over the country. They also travel together to conduct free Chinese painting workshops. They will be appearing at the “Artists Behind the Brushstrokes” event on Jan. 29 at The Block Atrium.

Apart from the exhibit, SM City North EDSA welcomes the Year of the Rooster with good food as well as cultural presentations such as the traditional lion-and-dragon dances.

Ongoing until Feb. 12 at The Block’s ground floor, The Oriental Market features a treasure trove of lucky charms for good luck, blessings, protection and good fortune such as Yin Yang charms; bead, crystal and fortune bracelets; Buddhas, spiritual icons, bells and wind chimes, and moneybags, among other items.

Slated also is a Wushu martial arts demonstration on Jan. 28, 5 p.m., at The Block, with iconic lion-and-dragon dances bringing in a prosperous New Year.

Three generations of Chan Lim artists: The family patriarch Jose Chan Lim (middle), his son Dr. Alex Chan Lim (left), and grandson Engr. Geoffrey Chan Lim (right) during the launch of “An Exquisite Exhibit of Plates and Scrolls” at The Block SM City...

To welcome the Chinese New Year, SM City North EDSA presents a Chinese traditional lionand-dragon dance performance to its mallgoers. It is believed that this traditional practice brings luck for the rest of the year.

The exhibit also features original works by Chan Lim like this Chinese oil painting of koi fish. Many believe that the koi symbolizes good luck, abundance and perseverance.

Actor Robin Padilla, a close friend of the Chan Lim family, joins the launch of Chinese New Year celebrations at The Block SM City North EDSA.

Chinese brush painting by Chan Lim featuring blooming flowers

A magnificent performance of Chinese traditional dances features the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Team.

China is endowed with traditional and folk dances which were performed during court rituals and important ceremonies. “Yangge,” a Chinese folk dance that evolved from the villages of Northern China, is known as an expression of happiness.

Painting by Dr. Pauline Santiago on a porcelain plate represents the Year of the Rooster this 2017.

A porcelain plate painted with this year’s symbol, the rooster, by Baby Ruth Chuaunsu