Seeing a lack of Christian art in the U.K.'s vibrant creative scene, Hong Kong-born artist Meg Leung (梁麗橋) is using her talents to reintroduce faith-based artwork and share the gospel.

Meg Leung, an artist who has loved watercolor painting since childhood, sees art as a medium to express her inner world and as a bridge to a deeper relationship with God. A life-changing car accident—ten seconds when she crossed between life and death—awakened her to God's grace, leading her to dedicate her art to sharing the gospel. Since moving to the United Kingdom, she has gained an even deeper understanding of her mission to spread the gospel through art.

Between U.K. and Hong Kong Art Scenes

Previously an art instructor for children in Hong Kong, Leung relocated to the U.K. several years ago, where she now focuses on Christian art and helps organize Christian art exhibitions. She has noticed stark differences between artistic styles in Hong Kong and the U.K., but her commitment to using art to share the gospel remains unchanged.

"In the U.K., I found more space to think and reflect," shared Leung. "I have started to meditate on and digest Bible verses, hoping to express my spiritual insights through paintings so that both believers and non-believers can gain a deeper understanding of Christianity."

Leung observed significant differences in the artistic atmosphere between Hong Kong and the U.K. "In the U.K., art is ubiquitous—on the streets, in government-funded museums, and galleries everywhere. Artists are also more than happy to share about their creative endeavors."

Lamenting the Lack of Christian Art, Collaborating with Global Artists

Despite the rich artistic environment in the U.K., Leung has been disappointed by the lack of Christian art in the sphere. This realization strengthened her sense of mission: "Christians need to step up and contribute to the revival of Christian art!"

She believes that in today’s world, the transmission of Christianity should be diverse. The Christian message is not limited to verbal communication—it can also be conveyed visually, making it more accessible and understandable to a wider audience. To achieve this, she has connected with other Christian artists to explore ways to express God’s word through imagery.

Leung joined "Art for Christ," the first Chinese Christian artists fellowship in the U.K. The fellowship focuses on three main areas: hosting biennial Christian art exhibitions in a church, organizing evangelistic art tours, and fostering a community of Christian artists across the U.K.

She has also joined a Facebook group for Christian artists worldwide: "Some artists have lived in the U.K. for decades and have been marinated in the local art scene. I hope to learn from their experiences to enrich my own work as we walk this journey together."

As the exchanges were made, Leung observed notable style differences between Hong Kong and Western art. "Artists in Hong Kong tend to focus on realism, with a more reserved approach that rarely shows personal emotion and uses softer colors," she shared. "In contrast, Western and British artists are more expressive, using bold color contrasts to convey their emotions."

"Younger artists use bolder and more vivid colors, with imaginative and futuristic styles that are free-spirited and daring," noted Leung on artists' generational differences. All these insights have influenced Leung’s artistic framework, as she continues to blend Western artistic techniques with her own creative expression to translate her thoughts and emotions into vivid paintings.

Challenges in Connecting Christian Artists

Since launching her work in the U.K., Leung has participated in three Chinese Christian art exhibitions. The first took place during Easter 2022 at Birmingham Chinese Evangelical Church, where she displayed Christian-themed paintings on the crucifixion.

The second and third exhibitions, organized by Art for Christ, were held at a community hall and a church in London. The response was overwhelmingly positive. "Many Christians even brought their non-believing family members and we explained the concepts behind our artwork," shared Leung. "The advantage of Christian art is that non-believers are more open to visiting an exhibition than attending a church service."

Beyond the Chinese art scene, Leung has attempted to collaborate with non-Chinese artists but has faced difficulties. "I want to work with non-Chinese artists, but language and cultural barriers make communication challenging. Most Chinese Christians attend Chinese churches, limiting opportunities to connect with local Christian artists."

Regarding collaboration among Christian artists in the U.K., Leung acknowledges many obstacles: "Firstly, geographic distances pose a major challenge. Long-distance travel between cities makes it difficult for artists to stay connected. Secondly, language and cultural differences further hinder mutual understanding and rapport, making it harder to cultivate a thriving Christian art scene."

Leung notes that the number of Christian artists she has encountered—both local and Chinese—is limited. "Moreover, there are few dedicated workers committed to developing Christian art. Many Christian artists are only interested in exhibiting their work but are reluctant to serve within a team. This makes us short on manpower, making it difficult to sustain growth. Additionally, because so many secular exhibitions are out there, the incentive for artists to dedicate themselves to Christian art is lower."

Another challenge is the availability of exhibition spaces. "Some venues do not allow religious imagery, and art galleries typically charge high fees. As a result, most exhibitions are confined to churches, further restricting opportunities for expansion."

Future Aspirations: Using Murals to Spread the Gospel

Despite the difficulties, Leung’s experiences in the U.K. have enriched her artistic journey and reinforced her commitment to spreading Christianity through art.

Looking ahead, she plans to collaborate with Art for Christ to host evangelistic art tours in churches across France, Spain, Italy, Scotland, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. She also regularly attends Christian artist gatherings to foster spiritual growth and incorporate faith into her artwork.

Leung has another dream: to create murals in the U.K. She previously participated in mural projects in Hong Kong, working with Hong Kong Art Power to paint murals in schools—a joyful experience she hopes to replicate in the U.K.

However, she acknowledges significant challenges: "In downtown Birmingham, the government sponsors artists to create murals, but applicants need an official portfolio and must apply through an institution. Additionally, finding a suitable wall is difficult because permission from the city council is required. There are also predefined themes, which usually exclude Christian topics. Moreover, our fellowship members are scattered across different regions, making collaborative mural projects logistically challenging."

Nonetheless, Leung remains hopeful for an opportunity to realize her vision and use murals as a means to spread the gospel.