Complementary Forces: “Power and Grace” by Ronnie Lim at Art Elaan

“Caution not spirit, let it roam wild; for in that natural state dance embraces divine frequency.”

― Shah Asad Rizvi

It takes power to exhibit grace under pressure. It takes grace to exercise power with control. “Power and Grace” is a solo exhibit by Ronnie Lim which gives us a close up look of the majestic profile of the tiger and captures the energetic movements of a ballerina. The series invites us to reflect on how these two seemingly opposite qualities — one active, one passive — are in fact complementary qualities which work to magnify and keep each other in check.

On the surface, all we perceive when we watch a ravenous tiger may be its commanding presence and deafening roar bringing the hair on our skin to its ends, even when it is after another prey. We may not realize that this beast also exhibits grace in its movements even as it hunts alone. The ballerina’s dance on the other hand displays harmony. Yet her flexibility is made possible by the power in her limbs. She too has courage to take risks, to jump and fall, to bask in the heat of the limelight. Power and grace — two qualities we aspire to embody, two qualities that both the ferocious tiger and the delicate ballerina exhibit in equal measure.

Dr. Ronnie Lim’s passion for art began at a young age. He graduated cum laude at the University of Santo Tomas major in BS Biology. His study of anatomy made him return to art under the mentorship of Renante “Rey” Aurelio. Since then there has been no stopping Dr. Ronnie Lim and his prolific career as an artist.