What?

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This exercise involves re-visiting a simple childhood practice of drawing one’s family and creating a family portrait (no artistic skills required)

 

Why?

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When faced with the question “When was the last time you’ve drawn your family” we think most of us will be inclined to say, “In kindergarten/primary school”.

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The focus here is not necessarily on the act of drawing (although we could probably use some more creativity in our lives), but on the conversations that this childhood pastime facilitates.

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No longer do we sit with others in a café, in the office, at university, and offer a representation of our family trees at the drop of a hat. What was once seen as an important piece of information, that recognizes our connection to others, is now considered somewhat “irrelevant and unnecessary” to share with those around us.

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Although it is only natural that as we age, we become more independent, it doesn’t mean that our connections to one another become less significant. Only that we increasingly view ourselves as separate individuals, neglecting to recognize that we are still part of a whole.

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If the above description doesn’t apply to you, we welcome you to try this experiment anyway, by following the instructions below.

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Overall, this exercise allows people to dedicate some time to reconnect with their family ties, discuss what the concept of family means to them, reflect on what their place within this community of people is, and offer fellow group members an insight into their lives. At the end of this activity, you may find that even the simplest drawings can be very telling.