A Picture of Being Together / A Legacy in One Frame
- Raffles Kuala Lumpur
- Oct 27, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 28, 2025
A family portrait is more than just a picture; it's a quiet sign that you belong. In many cultures, it stands for unity, a shared past, and the emotional connections that keep people together. It marks important times in history and keeps each family member's presence alive, so that future generations can remember not only faces, but also relationships, stories, and who they are. A real family portrait doesn't just show people standing next to each other; it shows how they get along, how much they care about each other, and how good it feels to be part of something bigger than yourself.
My family never got to take a real family picture when I was a kid. We didn't have a lot of money, so even a simple photo studio session felt like a luxury we couldn't afford. This absence may seem small, but it followed me around for a long time. Last year, when my mother died, I realized we had missed the chance to capture that moment in the usual way. This loss in my life was the first thing that inspired my art.
I made a paper-cutting piece that is like a family portrait and honors my mother's first anniversary. It also fulfills a long-held dream. I wanted to bring my family back together in a different way with this art piece, one that is both fragile and strong. Cutting paper is a hard and important art form. Like keeping a family together, making each cut takes time and thought. We are together again in this picture, not just as people but as one big group that is linked.
As a lifelong teacher, I've always believed that art is more than just a skill. It's a way for people to talk to each other. Pictures can't keep stories alive like art can. It can show how you feel in a way that words can't. It can help people heal, remember, and think about things. This piece is more than just a personal tribute; it also shows a common desire that many people have: to honor the people who came before us, celebrate the people who shape who we are, and stay true to our roots.
This piece of art is really about love, loss, and remembering. It makes people think about their own families, the good times they've had, and how important it is to be there for each other. A family portrait, whether taken with a camera or made by hand, reminds us of what really matters: staying connected, valuing each other, and telling our stories with dignity and hope.
This piece of art started out as a personal dream, but it has grown into a reflection of something that many people feel: the need to remember, heal, and celebrate the connections that shape our lives. Art can help us turn absence into presence and memory into something beautiful that lasts. I hope this piece makes people stop, think, and appreciate the families—by birth, by choice, or by heart—that make our lives worth living.
Reference
Joseph YAP | Certificate In Design Programme Coordinator | Raffles Kuala Lumpur
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