Canvas For Christ: A Christmas Witness In Art

This Christmas season, “Canvas for Christ” brings together a group exhibition of faith-based artists in Singapore, uniting local and expatriate, Singapore-based Southeast Asian practitioners in a shared act of witness.

Held from Dec. 20 to 27 at Carlo Catholic Services on Queen Street, the exhibition, “Christ Be Our Light,” gathered 10 artists whose works reflect Christian faith through painting, reflection, and visual prayer.

Among them is Singapore-based Filipino artist Rogin “Djinn” Tellada, whose presence highlights the diverse yet deeply connected artistic community shaping Singapore’s sacred art scene.

The exhibition marks the first independent showing by the “Canvas for Christ” collective, which grew organically out of friendships formed among finalists of the Angelico Art Award.

Singapore artist Jan Wee, one of the participating artists, describes the heart of the initiative simply: the group came together out of “a common desire – to create art that glorifies God, deepens our own spiritual reflection, and inspires faith, hope, and love in others.” That shared mission anchors the exhibition’s theme, inviting viewers to encounter Christ as light amid uncertainty.

Aside from Wee and Tellada, participating artists are David Lim, Debie Sio Siew Yuen, Joseph Ng Swee Hong, Oh Hui Ling, Patricia Tan, Philip Tan Peng Hock, Rogin “Djinn” Tellada, Simon Lim Siak Heng, and Susan Toh Li Chuin.

Their works span styles and sensibilities, yet are united by reverence, contemplation, and a commitment to integrity in faith-driven creativity.

For Tellada, a fine arts graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the exhibition represents more than a seasonal showcase. He explains that group exhibitions like “Canvas for Christ” allow him “to interact with other faith-animated artists and transform into art the stirrings of the spirit.”

In that spirit of fellowship, “Canvas for Christ” offers a quiet but powerful Christmas testimony – one where art becomes both offering and invitation.

Christianity plays a visible and evolving role in Singapore’s multi-religious society, accounting for about 18.9 percent of the population in 2020. It spans Catholic, Protestant, and charismatic communities, with worship styles ranging from traditional liturgy to vibrant megachurch services.

The visit of the late Pope Francis in 2024 was a landmark moment, strengthening Catholic identity and renewing wider Christian dialogue and social engagement.

Christianity is also deeply present among migrant workers, especially Filipinos and Tamils, for whom churches offer spiritual refuge, community support, and cultural continuity, enriching Singapore’s religious landscape with lived faith and diversity.