Welcome to the Thingumabob Family, which features artist Hyunsuk Erickson’s multimedia drawings of her Thingumabob sculptures. Erickson considers each drawing a self-portrait created by a Thingumabob as their own artistic representation of themselves, exploring their personalities and inner worlds.

The self-portraits presented together can also be considered family portraits that capture the Thingumabobs as a group, emphasizing their connection, legacy, and shared memories. Renowned artists, both celebrated and obscure, have undertaken the task of immortalising these familial bonds on canvas. Painted family portraits have been an important and venerated tradition throughout history. These artworks not only capture the likeness of a family but also provide glimpses into the lives and values of the individuals portrayed. 

Once family photography became more affordable, practical, and widely available than sitting for portraiture, gallery walls of favorite family photos became popular. Imagine yourself walking the halls of the Thingumabob home and coming across this collection of family portraits, creating a visual timeline of memories to be enjoyed daily. The family has selected its most significant photos, chosen the frames, planned the layout, and hung them to tell the Thingumabob story. On some walls, you see the family trip to the jungle, on another, the way younger Thingumabob’s have grown over the years, and all the important configurations and celebrations of Thingumabob life. 

Family Ties: Thingumabob Self Portraits asks us to consider how far we’ve come, with whom and how we have spent our time, and ultimately, what memories are worth keeping.