Institute of Chinese Studies

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

ICS Community Outreach Activities - Wood Carving 2015

There were four workshops on Chinese calligraphy wood carving conducted by the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) in SMJK Hua Lian, Taiping on 3 October, Pusat Khidmat Masyarakat Kuala Sepetang, Taiping on 4 October, SMJK Pei Yuan, Kampar on 18 November, and SMJK Choong Hua, Bidor on 21 November 2015.

The workshops, conducted by ICS Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Dr Lim Chee Men, aimed to promote the artistry of Chinese calligraphy wood carving and to nurture the talent of the participants through the uniqueness of the art.

Dr Lim said, “I hope these workshops will help to spark continuous interactions between UTAR ICS and the larger community, and to uphold the spirit of charity for educational causes with the hope that it will encourage more volunteering and contributions from students to the community after graduation.”

Chinese Studies student Tan Jia Ling said, “as one of the workshop’s assistants, I need to equip myself with some wood carving knowledge and skills. Dr Lim taught me a lot and I learned different methods of wood carving. During the workshops, I met a lot of new friends. I learned to be patient and how to interact with participants from various ages when assisting Dr Lim in wood carving sessions. All these have encouraged me to move forward on my wood carving journey.”

Goh Ming Tsuey, one of the senior assistants of the workshops, said, “It is a wonderful experience for me to join the Chinese Calligraphy Wood Carving team. It is a very good opportunity for us to enhance our carving skills by sharing it with participants. The workshops have provided an opportunity for people from all walks of life to learn about the beauty of Chinese traditional arts, which can also cultivate their mindfulness. I hope that such events can be held more often so that Chinese calligraphy wood carving can be promoted to the younger generations.”

Lee Jia Ying, another Chinese Studies student, hoped to learn a new skill through participating in the workshop. “After seeing my seniors’ work, I can better appreciate the beauty of the traditional arts. The combination of skillful craftsmanship and the natural beauty of wood breathe new life into the wood. Every single carving, design, and colour imparts a special significance to the wood. It is so amazing!”