IMAGES: Low Chee Peng Facebook
A Century Ago in George Town: A Craftsman’s Haven
A century ago, strolling through George Town, Penang was like stepping into a bustling marketplace. Traditional craftsmen lined the streets, their shops filled with a colorful array of handcrafted goods. Before the advent of supermarkets and online shopping, these artisans were the heart and soul of Penang’s retail scene.
From sturdy furniture to delicate prayer paraphernalia, these craftsmen produced everything imaginable. Their skills, honed through generations, were evident in the intricate details of their work. Many of these family-run businesses operated from the same premises their ancestors had established, a testament to their enduring legacy.
Despite weathering the storms of two world wars and colonial rule, many of these traditional crafts couldn’t withstand the onslaught of time and technology. Industrialization and automation made mass production cheaper and more efficient. Rising costs for materials and rent further squeezed profit margins.
Preserving Penang’s Heritage: A Sculptor’s Endeavor
The allure of glamorous white-collar jobs has deterred younger generations from following in their elders’ footsteps. Many of today’s craftsmen, in their 70s and 80s, are likely the last of their kind. But one Penang sculptor is determined to change that.
Low Chee Peng’s “Artisans” project aims to immortalize these craftsmen and their shophouses through miniature sculptures. He has completed 10 pieces so far, showcasing a diverse range of traditional trades, from lantern making to blacksmithing.
These intricate sculptures were recently exhibited at his O Sculpture studio, located within Hin Bus Depot.
A Tribute to Penang’s Last Songkok Maker
Low Chee Peng’s miniature of Haja Mohideen, the current owner of Kedai Songkok OSM Mohd Shariff, captures the essence of this historic business. Located in an alcove near the Nagore Shrine, the shop was established in 1933 by Haja Mohideen’s father and remains the last of its kind in George Town.
The positive response to the miniature has prompted Low to display it permanently on the upper floor of his gallery space. The O Sculpture studio has become a thriving hub for artists and enthusiasts, fostering connections and appreciation for the arts.
Low aims to keep the “Artisans” project on public display for several months. He hopes to transport viewers back to a time when George Town’s streets were filled with the energy of traditional craftsmen. By preserving their stories, Low believes we can safeguard the city’s soul.
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A Miniature Tribute to a Trishaw Maker
Fourth-generation trishaw maker Choo Yew Choon proudly displays his miniature likeness, created by Low Chee Peng for the “Declining Artisans” sculpture trail at George Town Festival 2024.
Low’s miniature sculptures, though significantly smaller than life-size, have captured the attention of many, particularly on social media. Crafted by a team of ten from his studio, these pieces stand at approximately 0.8 meters tall and 0.5 meters wide, using metal, wood, and resin.
The level of detail in these sculptures is astonishing. Those familiar with Penang’s historic shophouses will appreciate the accurate portrayal of architectural features, from the accordion-style metal gates on the lower level to the ornate carvings and terracotta roof tiles on the upper floor. Even the effects of time and weathering have been meticulously recreated.
However, the true stars of these miniatures are the artisans themselves. Each piece showcases a craftsman diligently working at their trade, surrounded by their tools and materials. The business signages have also been faithfully reproduced.
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Remembering the Fallen Craftsmen
For Low Chee Peng, creating some of the “Artisans” sculptures was a bittersweet experience. While he knew many of his subjects personally, the loss of some, like lantern maker Lee Ah Hock and joss stick maker Lee Beng Chuan, was deeply felt.
Ah Hock, the last traditional lantern maker in Penang, ran the family business, Tai Keat Seong, for over a century.
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A Legacy Lost
Low Chee Peng, a resident of Ayer Itam, puts the finishing touches on his “Artisans” series, a tribute to Penang’s traditional craftsmen and their historic shophouses.
Lee Ah Hock, a renowned lantern maker, was known for his expertly crafted Hokkien-style lanterns. His family business, Tai Keat Seong, stood for over a century, receiving countless orders from clan houses and temples. Despite Low’s attempts to order lanterns from Ah Hock, sadly, the craftsman passed away in 2014, and his crumbling shophouse was later demolished.
While Lee Beng Chuan, a joss stick maker, passed away in 2020, his business on Lorong Muda remains a popular attraction. As a tribute, Low commissioned Beng Chuan’s daughter-in-law to create miniature joss sticks using real sandalwood and sawdust.
Low’s efforts to learn from these artisans were met with discouragement. Many warned him that these traditional trades were no longer viable for a living. While some offer short courses to teach basic skills, it’s unlikely that these efforts will be enough to preserve these vanishing crafts.
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A Vanished Era: The Wooden Signboard Maker
“Wooden Signboard Engraving” depicts Kok Ah Wah, the former owner of Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker, diligently working in his now-defunct shop on Queen Street.
Low Chee Peng lamented that these historic businesses would eventually be replaced by modern shops and cafes.
During the recent George Town Festival 2024, Low created five smaller sculptures and placed them throughout the city for festival-goers to discover. He was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm of young people who participated in the trail, hoping that it would lead them to explore George Town’s hidden gems.
Low plans to continue his “Artisans” series, inspired by the rich tapestry of traditional crafts that have thrived in the city for centuries.
To view the “Artisans” pieces, visit the O Sculpture studio at Hin Bus Depot, George Town. Appointments can be made from Fridays to Sundays between 10 AM and 6 PM. For inquiries, please contact 012-4725 443.
Original article: https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/culture/2024/09/16/malaysian-artist-creates-tiny-tributes-to-vanishing-trades-with-miniature-sculptures
