Todd Lim

1964 - 2025

Memorial

Mementos

It is with deep sadness we share that Todd Lim unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of New Year's Day 2025, in the hospital near his home in Florida due to complications after cardiac surgery. He was 60 years old. His family, friends and loved ones will cherish the good times spent with him. His generosity and irreverent, sharp wit shall be remembered. Whenever we saw him smile, we knew things were going to be okay.

Todd was an accomplished visual artist working in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking and sculpture. He graduated with a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. His clever sense of humor was evident in his work, using plays on words and images from popular culture. Many pieces also incorporated aspects of racism, social justice and his recovery. A screenprint of “The Yellow Race” is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Todd was a featured artist in the book “Addiction and Art,” published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Six of his prints may be viewed at Stamford Square, Stamford, CT, as part of the Ashforth Art Collection. His work has been displayed in numerous solo and group exhibitions, most recently at The Armory Show, an annual event in New York City that showcases contemporary art from galleries around the world.

Todd was also a talented, self-taught musician. He could play by ear and improvise, at times sounding like Django Reinhardt on guitar and George Winston on piano. His recent musical endeavors included teaching himself how to play the banjo.

Todd lived in Connecticut, New York City and Pennsylvania, collecting life-long friends and mentoring many along the way. When he moved to Florida, he continued creating art in his garage-turned-studio. He nurtured what had been an unkempt, overgrown backyard into a magical green space where wildlife found a home, enriching his.

Todd loved helping others and was sometimes self-sacrificing in the extreme. He battled demons throughout his life, emerging victorious, sober and true, yet his sensitive soul suffered still. May he finally be at peace and without pain, knowing he is loved.

Todd is survived by his parents, sisters, niece, nephew, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who fondly remember his gentle demeanor, and his two loving cats.

Todd’s family wishes to express appreciation for his friends, colleagues, neighbors and recovery community. Thank you for being there for our beloved.

The family will hold a private service at a later date. Donations to honor Todd's memory may be made to The American Heart Association or Alley Cat Allies. Please feel free to share remembrances, stories and photos of Todd.

Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Todd’s life with a heartfelt message.

Batia Lowenberg

It has been a year since beloved Todd has passed. I have many photos, memories, and even some artwork/comics I have made about my friend and artist-brother. I hope that I can have the mental and emotional energy to post some for his friends and family at some point. I would also like to purchase or trade some of his artwork and to know where it will be kept/displayed/donated... Todd was a national treasure and deserves to be honored and celebrated. I've written a little about his work and open to writing more as needed.

Published January 3rd, 2026

Jon Garberg

I'd know Todd since 2017, my cousin Fred Garver was a recovery coach who was close with Todd. Fred introduced me to Todd at his show at the opening of The Arts Warehouse. I love Todd's work, have bought some along the way, visited his home and studio. Todd's work really speaks loudly and delivers his message clearly. His personality was so calm and soothing, his work, Loud & Strong. I am thankful for having know Todd for the short time I did. Rest in Peace my friend.

Published February 17th, 2025

Clare Wilson

I have long pondered exactly what I want to share here to best honor my friend, so please excuse my late submission. I’ve known Todd since I was in junior high school, mostly as my cool friend’s even cooler older brother who lived above his parents garage and who as did I at times, struggled with personal demons. We connected more personally as adults prior to his move to Florida, and along with Kelly would meet up for brunch etc. Those meet ups were treasured moments for me, spending time in the presence and energy two siblings whom I greatly admired. We stayed in touch once he moved, and I even saw him in Florida on several occasions. Todd gave me a tour of his work on display at a museum in Delray Beach and I had the opportunity to see him as the brilliant and insightful artist that he was. His art was powerful and truthful and made you feel your feeling, like truly great art does. A few years ago after I’d just bought my first home, I wanted to buy a piece of art from Todd, and we were in more consistent contact than ever before discussing my options. Our conversations lasted for hours and the topics would spiral in every direction, covering addiction and plant medicine, racism and our similar experiences with it growing up in Greenwich, CT as well as lot’s of provocative and playful stick poking from him to me. Todd never skipped an opportunity to be the devil’s advocate, in the spirit of the super cool big brother I first knew him to be. When I finally decided on the pieces I wanted to buy from him, he gave me a difficult time about payment and finally explained that he could’t in good conscience accept the actual asking price from me, as he was having legal issues with the gallery that represented him. His solution to this? He GAVE me one of each of the pieces he had left! It was such an incredible act of generosity and something I have been grateful to him for, literally Every Day Since. Todd’s healing presence is the first thing to greet me every morning, and the last thing I see before bed. When I accepted Todd’s generous gift, I didn’t realize the impact his art would have on me, on a day to day basis. When I shared this insight with him, he did not particularly care to hear it, such was the manner of his humility. Todd was a beautiful, kind and unique Soul. I admired him from afar in my youth, and eventually grew to call him my own friend. I know Todd will be dearly missed by his family and friends and by all that loved him. My hope is that like me, you find some comfort in the memories you share, and in the art that he left behind. I still feel him there, every single day.

Published February 16th, 2025