The art of restoring damaged photos and bringing memories back to life

A combo of faded and restored (right) photos of Beria Gasai, a rattan craftswoman from Long Ayak, Sarawak, was submitted by her daughter Suti Bawa to preserve her image for future generations, ensuring her grandchildren know of her skilled craft. Photo: Canvas Art Malaysia

Canvas Art Malaysia, a photography restoration service in Petaling Jaya, has been steadily reviving faded and frayed images, showcased in two recent exhibitions in Kuala Lumpur.

Featuring restored images from Sabah and Sarawak, the exhibitions breathed new life into historical photographs, offering a visual narrative of the Bornean states’ rich histories while reconnecting audiences with forgotten stories.