about

A photography art project that varied from camera building, to print-making, to social exchanges and research on the concepts of identity. The project is named ‘Kanta’ which means lens in malay. Kanta as a metaphor on the projection of an image, but also as a way of seeing, different lenses/ filters that affects the image, the way we see.

The project has gone through two main phases, namely:– Kanta Box Kamra, camera-building, exploration of techniques & engagements; and Kanta Portraits, research and field trips to communities, exploring the concepts of identity and the state.

Jeffrey Lim 林猷進  /  Jeffrey J C Lim has travelled to numerous communities in East and West Malaysia, and Taiwan. He has also resided in several research residencies and participated in several exhibitions in Taiwan and Japan. He has ended his field trips in mid 2019 to start reflecting and explore ways of expressing his understanding.




2020– Kanta / Jeffrey Lim Reflection, collaboration and forms of expression– Collecting notes and archiving prints, reflecting on the journey. Research and explore ways to express the understanding, collaborating with other artists and using other mediums. Developing new box cameras concepts and techniques for production and workshops.


2017–2019 Kanta Portraits Exploring identity through culture & state– Beyond borders; portraits from the edges of Malaysia. The project has evolved into a research and portraiture series. Building of new concept cameras & processes beyond the Kamra Box. Travelling with the mobile photo-studio between urban & rural area of east, west Malaysia and Taiwan. link to 2017-2019 description


2012–2015  Kanta Box Kamra Experiencing the living form of photography. Grant duration; July 2014 till July 2015. Building box cameras inspired from the Afghan Box Camera Project and later the Brazillian Lambe-lambe. This phase also hoped to capture unique portraits and insight of Malaysian society. link to 2012-2015 description



List of grants, collaboration, organisation and support from (full list of supporters)
2021 Thermos Foundation, Studio 94, Taipei
2020-21 National Theatre and Concert Hall, Taipei
2020-21 Mobility Fund Programme, CENDANA
2020-21 Open Contemporary Art Center (OCAC), Taipei

2018-19 Emerging Artist Incubation Funding Programme, CENDANA
2018 Thermos Foundation, Studio 94, Taipei
2017–19 Open Contemporary Art Center (OCAC), Taipei
2017-19 Nusantara Archives, No Man's Land, Taiwan
2016-19 Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS)
2016-19 Center For Orang Asli Concern (COAC)
2014-15 Krishen Jit Astro Fund, Five Arts Centre
2014– Bang Bang Geng, Kuala Lumpur



Jeffrey J C Lim– artist / urbanist / designer – bio CV site

Jeffrey Lim’s artistic expression stems from his engagement in social art projects using cultural mapping, performative installation and photography. He has also been active in activism & advocacy, and worked in brand identity design. Jeff has worked in brand identity design and started his own design practise in 2009.

As a cultural & photography artist, Jeff considers himself more as a cultural narrator, engaging with communities, utilising forms of conceptual representation with imagery, found-object, and space. His recent work with Kanta Portraits has seen him travel between Malaysia and Taiwan in a social exchange with indigenous communities.

Notable works: Village Bicycle Workshop (2012) programs on cycling culture & heritage; Cycling Kuala Lumpur (2014) participatory mapping advocacy; Project ISD (2016) urban behavioural study; Attachment (2017) installation on migration; Kanta Portraits (2018) social exchange with portraits; Kanta Manuscript 20 (2020) book publication of research.

email j.c.lim.studio25@gmail.com  /  facebook— facebook/Kanta  /  vimeo studio 25 vimeo  /  youtube JC Lim  /