Megan Lui is a mixed-media artist and muralist based in metro Detroit, who creates heavily textured surreal abstracts that explore themes of interconnectedness, resilience, and the fragility of life. Her work combines acrylic paint, spray paint, ink, and modeling paste with collaged paper to build layered compositions.
Named an Artist to Watch in 2025 by DetroitIsIt Magazine, Megan has exhibited her art in the U.S. and internationally. Her works are part of private and public collections across the United States and abroad.
Artist Statement
I create surreal abstracts that explore the interconnectedness of humanity and offer a sense of calm. My work is heavily influenced by Monet and his use of expressive, natural forms, but also the surrealist movement. The idea that restrictive and rational thinking led to the horrors of World War I, and that by relinquishing conscious control and embracing what lies beyond logic can revolutionize the human experience resonates especially strong in me.
I rely on my intuition when laying out compositions, utilizing surrealist automatism to make each layer meditatively. Each painting draws from personal experiences and is informed by both my time as a nurse, where I witnessed moments of vulnerability and resilience, and also motherhood. These encounters shaped my understanding of humanity’s interdependence.
Paper is similar to a life in that it is delicate and fragile, yet made strong when layered together. My process begins with anchoring paper onto canvas. I build texture and depth through layering modeling paste, stenciling with spray paint, and integrating the patterns of the paper into abstract compositions. The narrative emerges as I paint and natural forms into these landscapes. The resulting structured yet serene abstract landscape represents a world where safety and connection coincide.
Megan Lui Art 