Artist / Printmaker
Lenore RS Lim
Ms. Lenore Raquel Santos Lim, recipient of the UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award!
August 15, 2026 - University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines
Lenore Raquel Santos Lim is a pioneering Filipino printmaker, educator, and philanthropist whose six-decade career has bridged traditional fine art with contemporary technology. A 1967 graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, she developed a technical mastery that combines etching, lithography, and serigraphy with digital manipulation and computer-aided design. Lim also served as President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia, Canada, from 1985 to 1986, reflecting an early commitment to leadership that extends beyond the studio.
Her artistic innovation is closely tied to Filipino cultural memory, in which visual motifs such as traditional calado embroidery, leaves, and handmade lace serve as vehicles for exploring identity, womanhood, and nature conservation. Just as important, she uses her public platform for human rights advocacy, most notably through her internationally acclaimed *Comfort Women* series and the installation *Comfort House*, which together function as a powerful global memorial to wartime trauma and female strength.
After relocating to North America in the 1970s, Lim worked to build cultural ecosystems across the diaspora. While teaching for two decades at the United Nations International School in New York, she continued to return to the Philippines to lead free workshops, blending professional instruction with community-oriented service. Her broader legacy includes serving as President of the Society of Philippine American Artists, founding the Filipino Music and Art Foundation BC (1980 to present) with roots in the Philippines, and launching *Pagtitipon*, a milestone biennial Filipino-Canadian art exhibition in Vancouver.
Lim’s enduring impact has been recognized through major honours such as the Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award, a Pollock-Krasner Grant, and a year-long retrospective titled *Leaves, Lace, and Legacy* at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Even at 80 years old, she continues to publish, mentor, and exhibit globally, ensuring that her role as a vital cultural ambassador remains alive, influential, and deeply meaningful.
Congratulations once again to Ms. Lenore Raquel Santos Lim on receiving the UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award!
Ms. Lenore Raquel Santos Lim, recipient of the UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award!
August 15, 2026 - University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines
Lenore Raquel Santos Lim is a pioneering Filipino printmaker, educator, and philanthropist whose six-decade career has bridged traditional fine art with contemporary technology. A 1967 graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, she developed a technical mastery that combines etching, lithography, and serigraphy with digital manipulation and computer-aided design. Lim also served as President of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in British Columbia, Canada, from 1985 to 1986, reflecting an early commitment to leadership that extends beyond the studio.
Her artistic innovation is closely tied to Filipino cultural memory, in which visual motifs such as traditional calado embroidery, leaves, and handmade lace serve as vehicles for exploring identity, womanhood, and nature conservation. Just as important, she uses her public platform for human rights advocacy, most notably through her internationally acclaimed *Comfort Women* series and the installation *Comfort House*, which together function as a powerful global memorial to wartime trauma and female strength.
After relocating to North America in the 1970s, Lim worked to build cultural ecosystems across the diaspora. While teaching for two decades at the United Nations International School in New York, she continued to return to the Philippines to lead free workshops, blending professional instruction with community-oriented service. Her broader legacy includes serving as President of the Society of Philippine American Artists, founding the Filipino Music and Art Foundation BC (1980 to present) with roots in the Philippines, and launching *Pagtitipon*, a milestone biennial Filipino-Canadian art exhibition in Vancouver.
Lim’s enduring impact has been recognized through major honours such as the Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award, a Pollock-Krasner Grant, and a year-long retrospective titled *Leaves, Lace, and Legacy* at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Even at 80 years old, she continues to publish, mentor, and exhibit globally, ensuring that her role as a vital cultural ambassador remains alive, influential, and deeply meaningful.
Congratulations once again to Ms. Lenore Raquel Santos Lim on receiving the UPAA Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award!
Leaves, Lace, and Legacy: The Art of Lenore RS Lim
March 22, 2024 - March 2, 2025; National Museum of Fine Arts
The National Museum of the Philippines will present an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the selected works of the esteemed artist, Lenore RS Lim. Titled "Leaves, Lace, and Legacy," the exhibition will commence on March 22, 2024, and will be open to the public for an entire year, concluding on March 2, 2025.
Lenore RS Lim's artistic repertoire masterfully intertwines tradition, innovation, and advocacy, resulting in a profound exploration of the intricate world of printmaking. Drawing inspiration from her rich Philippine heritage and influenced by her experiences in Canada and New York, Lenore's artworks prominently feature recurring motifs, such as the eloquent depiction of leaves, evocative handmade lace, and ethereal wedding veils. This visual narrative not only highlights her unwavering commitment to nature conservation but also pays homage to the profound maternal traditions deeply rooted in Philippine culture.
In addition to the thematic richness of her creations, Lenore's body of work engages in meaningful discourse on womanhood and human rights, exemplified in her distinguished series that addresses the poignant history of comfort women during World War II. As a trailblazer in the field of printmaking in the Philippines, Lenore skillfully merges traditional techniques with contemporary technologies, notably employing computer-aided design serigraphy. Her meticulous process involves digitally manipulating raw materials, seamlessly blending aspects of printmaking with photo processing, and incorporating thin papers into printed images to enhance their color and tonal definitions.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Lenore's profound impact extends to her role as an art educator, leaving an indelible mark on students and institutions alike. Her unwavering dedication to sharing knowledge underscores her commitment to fostering artistic exploration and understanding.