The artist
Sonhee Lim
Sonhee Lim creates sacred paintings rooted in Christian faith. Through the lives of the saints and the mystery of Christ, her work invites the viewer to pause, pray, and draw closer to God.
“It’s a quiet time where I sit in front of the canvas, listen to the Lord, and try to express what touches my heart.”
— From her reflection on Saint Carlo Acutis
A prayerful practice
When painting becomes prayer
To know
Each portrait begins with the life of the saint: reading, looking, and learning from a particular witness of faith.
To pray
At the canvas, painting becomes a way of listening. Colour, expression, and symbols grow out of reflection.
To remain
The finished image invites us to stay a while. By looking slowly at each element, we make room for prayer and an encounter with Christ.
Art in the life of the Church
Paintings for places of prayer
Works created for seminary and parish communities in Toronto.
St. Stephen · 2022
Created for the Diaconate Class of 2022 as a gift to St. Augustine’s Seminary. The image has also been used for St. Stephen’s Chapel in Toronto.
St. André Bessette · 2023
Displayed at St. Augustine’s Seminary. The saint is portrayed as a young novice to inspire humility and hope in the seminarians.
Courage · 2026
A painting of St. Andrew Kim Taegon at St. Andrew Kim Parish, Toronto, depicting the saint walking courageously toward the light of Christ.