A method and apparatus for generating, sending, receiving and reconstructing an image, for use, for example, over a mobile telephone network (10, 12, 14, 20) comprises means to prepare the image by selecting pre-stored parts image (24, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46) to be assembled as part of an entire image where the properties of the part images are specified, specification including the viewpoint, position of a part image, color, texture, movement, speed, time and times of visibility. The assembled image is coded as a text message to be sent to a receiving mobile telephone (20). The receiving mobile telephone (20) can decode the coded text message and display the coded image, can display a true text message with the image, can store and display an image as an indication of a person who has contacted that mobile telephone (20), and can store and add images to other messages. The part images (24, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46) can be downloaded from a central store (14). The text messages can be compacted.