Art as a Language of Faith – CCST Vancouver 10th Anniversary Art Exhibition

Artist: Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan
Calligraphy: 21" x 15"

Artist: Jeannie Lam
Pastel on paper: 8" x 8"

“God, my soul longs for you, as a deer longs for streams of water.” — Psalm 42:1

A deer stands beside still water—not in leisure, but in need. Its stance becomes an image of the heart’s thirst for God: not mere curiosity of the mind, but the soul’s deep cry for true life.

The forest is dim, yet light threads through the canopy, rendering God’s presence perceptible even in shadowed places. The deer’s reflection rests upon the surface, recalling our own: when we draw near to God, we see ourselves more truly, and the life we bear is renewed.

Here the source of life is named: the faithful God whose promise does not change. The work proposes a simple, steady pursuit—to seek as the deer seeks—until, in the Lord, we find the fullness that satisfies and the rest that endures.

Artist: Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan
Watercolour, Acrylic and Marker: 5.5" x 8.5"

This piece was done during a very difficult time in my life. I normally do not like dark colours, but the sense of darkness covered me that day. The painting process was like a lament that helped let out all my negative emotions: painful, bitter, lost, and desperate. As I was filling up the paper with deep dark blue colour, suddenly, the story of Exodus where the Israelites were fleeing from Egypt appeared in my mind. In the dark and cold wilderness, they had no idea about their future and not knowing where to go. During such a time, God sent the pillar of fire giving them warmth and leading them through the long dark nights in the wilderness, not one day, but for 40 years! So, I added the pillar of fire and words of hope from the Book of Lamentations in the Bible. Those words were given to the Israelites during their exile after losing their country and pushed out from their homeland. I felt a sense of assurance and hope after the painting process. I place this artwork in my office to remind me to trust in God’s presence, guidance, and provision even when life circumstances seem uncertain, unbearable, and hopeless.

Artist: Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan
Watercolor: 9" x 11"

This piece was inspired by Timothy P. Schmalz’s “Angel Unawares” which depicts migrants and refugees from all over the world on their journey with a pair of angel’s wings present among them. My work is a response to the recent Hong Kong immigration wave to various parts of the world. Many people “escaped”/are “escaping” Hong Kong during different periods of political and social unrest in the past decades. These immigrants crowded themselves in the Star Ferry, an iconic representation of the city, and were leaving the Victoria Harbour heading onto their destinations. Behind the ferry are the Wanchai and Central districts with the Peak in the background, landmarks of the city. At the front of the ferry sat Mary, Jesus and Joseph who were fleeing from Bethlehem to Egypt. Jesus, God incarnate, fully understands the migrant experience what the Hong Kong people are going through. HE is “sitting on the same boat” and being present with His people wherever they go.

Artist: Rev. Dr. Joyce Chan
Hard Pastel: 8" x 10"

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—    
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,    
the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV)

Artist: Jeannie Lam
Pastel on paper: 8" x 8"

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” — Romans 15:13

Set beneath a quiet night sky, this work centers on a glass jar holding a soft, sustained light, a sign of the hope preserved within the human heart. The surrounding firmament—dense with stars—suggests the breadth of God’s grace, while the luminous moon functions as a visual reminder that, even in darkness, divine light endures and divine promises do not fade.

The inscription “Hope” on the jar signals more than a pleasing aspiration; it denotes a steady trust in God. In the foreground, new grass emerges, indicating renewal and growth and testifying to the way hope nourishes life and enables it to flourish.

The artist articulates a clear theological intention: viewers are encouraged not to lose heart in adversity. True hope is not contingent upon circumstance; it proceeds from the God who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, causes believers to “abound in hope.”

Artist: Jeannie Lam
Pastel on paper: 8" x 8"

A young girl stands quietly at the water’s edge, gazing over a sea lit by dawn—or by evening’s last light. Before her, a curtain seems to draw back, revealing a wider horizon. This gesture of unveiling evokes a longing to “see”: not only with the eyes, but with the heart.

At times, life feels veiled; the way ahead is dim and uncertain. Yet God promises to lift the curtain Himself, leading us to behold His glory and to receive hope.

This work invites a posture of stillness and prayer. As we wait and call upon God, He opens our eyes to what we could not see—new direction, new courage, and a hope prepared for us.