A Family’s Touch: Art and Memory in a Neighborhood Eatery
In a small shop near the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, the walls tell more than one story. During a recent visit, I had a chance to speak with the owner and learn about the artwork that gives the space its character.
One of the main paintings, it turns out, was created by the owner’s brother-in-law—his wife’s younger brother, who studied art education at GAFA. The piece is nearly a decade old, and though the artist has long since graduated, his work remains.
“I brought it from home,” the owner explained casually. “Just thought it would look nice here.” The painting wasn’t commissioned for the shop; it was something personal, repurposed as a gentle decoration.
But it’s not the only art in the space. Alongside it hang drawings made by the owner’s son—some from his kindergarten years. Now in fifth grade, the boy continues to draw and has even won several awards. His father smiles modestly, calling them “just simple children’s prizes,” but the pride is quietly visible.
The owner also credited his brother-in-law with helping design the interior, which complements the shop’s name and atmosphere perfectly. It’s clear that the space isn’t professionally curated—it’s layered with family touches.
When asked if the painting could be borrowed for a local exhibition focused on artworks left by GAFA graduates in the neighborhood, the owner agreed warmly. “Of course,” he said. “But there’s no name on it.”
It’s this unassuming nature that makes the place memorable—not a gallery, but a living collection of moments made by a family who lives with art in the most natural way.
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