“JIA (家),” meaning “family,” is a provocative word that evokes strong mixed feelings in the Asian context. Enmeshment, dysfunction, and pain mark many childhoods and are often played out during family gatherings. Here, the artist challenges us to see family events through a God-centered lens, as opportunities for forgiveness, compassion, and hope. 

While explosively imprinted, the consistency and regularity of the brushstrokes offers viewers to share in the hope of a peaceful, stable family that we can lean into through prayer. For those of us struggling with an orphaned spirit, Tam invites us to hold onto our citizenship in the family of believers, and find our belonging in Christ and His Body.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ...” (Philippians 3:20)