When I was at primary school, every day after school, I liked to look at one picture that was hanging on the wall in our living room. I didn’t know what it was but do remember that it was such a gorgeous painting.
When I grew up, I got to know that it was the ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ icon.
An icon (from Greek εἰκών, eikon ) is an image, picture, or representation and came from the Orthodox Church and is mainly painted on wood. Icons are not well known in Korea and even when I was a kid, it was quite a unique opportunity to see it at home.
Without being awareness if it I had kept the image of the icon in my mind and had tried to copy it several times. Sometimes on paper, sometimes on textiles, but none of them were successful and finally the memory was dismissed.
At the beginning of 2006, at St.Euginia Church in Stockholm, I joined an icon class and I was reminded of the old image again.
During my first icon class, I worked on the “Our Lady and Jesus ‘icon which brought to mind the icon of my childhood.
Suddenly the image overlapped with the image of 03 Korean saints who loved people with God’s love and died for their faith.
When I met Alexander Deriev for the first time, he questioned me as to why I choose his icon course and I answered ,” I’d like to paint the 103 Korean saints’ icon someday.”
Even I was surprised at what I said. Why did I say so?
Why I decided to paint the 103 Korean saints’ icon
It’s because I’m here in Sweden.
I been in Sweden for 5 years, and had always felt an irresistible yearning for home in Korea, and even while concentrating on work I couldn’t shake off the feeling of loneliness. Little by little I became more concerned about my identity as a Korean and Catholic .
At the same time, I was very much influenced by " the Opus Dei (in Latin; God ' s Work): some feature of its spirit emphasizes the Catholic belief that everyone is called to be a saint and that ordinary life and work can be a path to sanctity".
The 103 Korean saints overcame the strict hierarchical and lived holy lives with a strong faith in God.
Eventually they all died for their faith which fills me with compassion and admiration.
I’d like to make shiny clothes for them and invite them to enjoy the beauty of nature here in Stockholm
This thought encouraged me to paint their icon
For several months, I researched the 103 Korean saints’ lives and tried to understand each one’s belief.
Through this process I could affirm my identity.
Finally I started the project June 2007 and it took the whole summer to accomplish. While I was painting these icons, I could see not only those 103 Korean saints, but also all the people whom I had met in Korea. For example, the French priest I met as a child, passionate Sunday School teachers, liberal choir members, devout ladies from Regio Marie, a pretty Sister who led bible class and my dear friends who studied to be priests, etc. For this reason, this work was full of joy .
Now, 103 Korean saints are my ‘ancestors of faith’ as well as friends and family.
They are alive here in Stockholm through these icons.
This work is a true ‘Opus Dei’ for me. Thanks be to God.
+ All Korean Saints, pray for us.
Sep. 2007 Stockholm
Ji-Young Kim
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