PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) - Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic said he was unsure if he would return to the red clay of Roland Garros next year, following his third-round defeat by Brazilian teenage sensation Joao Fonseca on Friday.
Marking history: Dedicated craftsman Lee carving a wooden signboard at his shop in Lebuh Carnarvon, Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: While wooden signboard carving is largely considered a sunset trade, Lee Chee Cheng continues to enjoy strong appreciation for the art.
His shop, Sung Dynasty Wood Carving, established here in 2010, produces wooden signboards, ancestral tablets and other wood-carving products. Aside from locals, his clients also hail from the Netherlands, Germany, India, the United States and Thailand.
“They are willing to wait up to three months for the signboards to be shipped overseas by sea freight. Lee also provides services such as jade seal carving, signboards for shops and hawkers, repairing damaged plaques and ancestral tablets and applying gold leaf to furniture. According to him, wooden signboards displaying the names of associations, temples or families remain a common sight on the main doors of Chinese associations, ancestral halls, temples, homes and business establishments here.
“Some clan associations and ancestral halls send me plaques that have deteriorated over time or been damaged by termites. “Sometimes, the damage is so severe that I need to carve a completely new plaque,” said Lee, who uses between 30 and 40 different carving tools. Among the timber he commonly uses are jelutong, cengal emas and raintree wood. During the process, Lee coats the lettering with glue and waits about three hours for it to set.
He does not use fans while drying to prevent the delicate gold leaf sheets from being blown away.
“At times, I buy gold leaf sheets in bulk and fellow craftsmen would purchase them from me when needed,” he said. He said the Internet has made the wood-carving process easier as he can now source various fonts online for customers to choose from. He added that restoration works within George Town’s Unesco World Heritage Site – where ageing buildings often require wooden materials during repairs – have also helped sustain his business.
Besides conducting do-it-yourself wood-carving sessions for tourists, Lee has frequently been invited by schools to hold workshops for students over the years. In April 2024, Lee and several carving artists from various fields set up the Penang Carving Art Association to promote the art and culture. He said those joining the association must possess carving skills, with the current membership comprising more than 20 people, aged between 20 and 60.
“Wood carving is not just a way to make a living but also a means of preserving history and culture. ”
Sung Dynasty Wood Carving Ancestral Tablets Jade Seal Carving Gold Leafing Unesco World Heritage Site Penang Carving Art Association Woodworking Artisans Signboard Restoration Traditional Craftsmanship
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