Penang woodcarver keeps age-old craft alive as demand grows (VIDEO)

For over two decades, Lee Chee Cheng has transformed simple wooden planks into intricately carved signboards embellished with golden Chinese characters, dragons, and other symbols of prosperity. The 63-year-old owner of Sung Dynasty Wood Carving learned the traditional craft from his late uncle, who operated the business in Air Itam before passing it on.

Lee initially resisted entering the labor-intensive trade, preferring other industries, but turned to the craft during the 1997 economic slowdown. After his uncle's passing, he took over the business and named it Sung Dynasty, honoring the era's renowned artisans and craftsmen. Initial years were challenging, with few customers and losses, but business improved over time, enabling Lee to break even and earn a good income.

Currently, his business is stable, with a steady demand coming from temples, associations, and businesses. In addition to signboards, Lee also restores antique deity statues and signboards, carves wooden altars, and creates traditional Chinese name stamps. Despite working alone, he takes four to five days to complete one signboard, applying gold leaf to the wordings after painting them in black or red.

Lee believes the trade is not a path to riches but a specialized tradition worth preserving, and he is teaching the craft to the younger generation under the Penang Heritage Trust's Penang Apprenticeship Programme for Artisan (PAPA) programme.