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

A 63-year-old woodcarver from Penang is keeping an age-old craft alive despite the growing demand for his ornate signboards. Lee Chee Cheng learned the traditional craft from his late uncle and began working in the business after his uncle passed away. Lee's initial resistance to the labor-intensive trade was due to his preference for a sales job, but the economic slowdown in 1997 forced him to help his uncle during his free time.

The business, named Sung Dynasty Wood Carving, was established about 20 years ago and initially struggled with few customers and losses. However, as the years passed, Lee gained more clients, mostly from temples, associations, and businesses. Today, his business is stable, and he earns a good income, but he worries about meeting customer orders.

In addition to making new signboards, Lee restores damaged antique deity statues and signboards, and creates traditional Chinese name stamps. Despite working alone, Lee takes between four to five days to produce one signboard. Lee's children are not interested in taking over the business, but he is willing to share his craft with others through the Penang Heritage Trust's Penang Apprenticeship Programme for Artisan (PAPA) programme.