JENNY
yi yun
KUO

Uncovering a case of letters from my grandfather to my father and a stack of family photos in the 1970s, I found myself reflecting on the evolving nature of family—how its meaning is constantly reshaped by the tides of social change and personal experiences.

How do we redefine the concept of family? What if we viewed the relationship between parent and child not as a singular bond, but as two distinct lives—one preceding the other, their paths only partially overlapping? As a child begins to cultivate a sense of self beyond familial expectations, how does this dynamic evolve? Instead of centering family around bloodlines and predefined roles, can we embrace it as a union of individuals, each navigating their own journey? And beyond that, can we approach the inevitable differences between generations with empathy, understanding and acceptance?

While we often envision family as a harmonious unit—loving parents and cherished children—the reality is far more fluid and complex. Beyond biological ties and inherited lineage, each family member exists as an individual with their own lived experiences, often overshadowed by the roles they are expected to fulfill within the collective.

Through layering, reframing and rephotographing, my work is an exploration of the dynamic nature of memories and familial bonds. These family photos and archives serve as both anchors and echoes; they remind me what is absent while reshaping what I understand within my current context. By placing personal photographs across shifting environments, I reflect on how distance, time, and place alter the definition of family and inheritance.