As we all know that there are a few vanishing trades in this country and most of it includes handiworks. Most of the people who are still in the vanishing trade industry are the older generation and that includes Zainol Abidin Omar. He is a woodcarver who carves out models of the iconic things in Penang.
This 75-Year-Old Man Is Still Carving Various Iconic Things In Penang
Zainol Abidin Omar is a 75-year-old man who still carves out the various iconic things that you can find in Penang such as the ferry, Penang bridge, and the Bukit Bendera train. It has been his passion to create intricate art out of wood which motivates him to keep carving until today.
Moreover, he shares that he has learned this skill through his Indonesian friends who lived in Penang. He started carving in 1986 and his artwork was sold at RM15 per model at that time. However, times have changed and the cost of a ferry carving will cost RM250 while a Penang Bridge model will cost RM480, and a Bukit Bendera train will cost RM300. Besides that, Zainol Abidin is also able to carve out traditional houses that will cost RM350 each.
Besides that, he also shares that the wood that is used to carve these intricate wood artwork is mostly plywood and a type of light hardwood known as ‘jelutong’ which is also known as Dyera costulata scientifically. Before finding his passion for woodcarving, Zainol Abidin was a painter.
Zainol Abidin shares that he cherishes every single one of his work as it requires a lot of hard work and effort in creating one piece. However, he says that the feeling of satisfaction and pride after completing a model is definitely worth it. Moreover, carving a ferry can also take up to five days to complete.
This Is Penang’s Pride
More than 4,000 pieces have been produced by Zainol Abidin to this day and his wife, Rogayah Mahmood, who is 66-year-old, will help him at times with cutting the wood to a specific size. Besides that, he has also received orders from private companies, factories, and individuals. Recently, there is an order that includes 15 pieces of a ferry replica from the Penang Port Commission.
Tag your friends and family below especially if they love collecting woodcarving models!
Read also 10 Traditional Craftsmanships in Penang You Need To Check Out
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