In Singapore, a Teochew traditional craftsman preserves his trade
In Singapore, 50-year-old Francis Tan has been practising traditional Teochew crafts for more than three decades: he makes carved wooden items, temple lanterns and paper figurines, and also restores statues of deities. His home and workshop are located at the Sean Hua Zee Temple near Changi Road, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Self-taught since childhood
Tan began recreating traditional objects at the age of nine. One of his first creations was a miniature dragon made of paper for ritual offerings, traditionally presented to deities during birthday celebrations. Without internet instructions, he photographed a large sample, scaled down its proportions, then drew and coloured his own version.
As materials were expensive, the boy used chocolate wrappers instead of gold foil. At about the age of 12, he took up wood carving: after classes, he asked nearby factories for unwanted wooden pallets, dismantled them with a hammer and worked with a folding knife. His first wooden work was a sea lion, which took several months to complete.
Tan did not undergo a formal apprenticeship with a master. He improved his skills by studying finished works, experimenting and listening to occasional advice from other craftspeople. After studying drafting, he worked as a drafter and later as a construction project coordinator. In his early forties, Tan left the construction industry because of concerns about prolonged exposure to cement and sand dust and made crafts his main occupation.
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Commissions and workshops
Tan also creates paper offerings that are burned during rituals honouring the deceased. Several years ago, a couple contacted him through an intermediary with a request to make two paper handheld fans in different colours. The intermediary told the craftsman that the parents had dreamed of their recently deceased daughter, who had asked for such fans. With only a photograph of the device, Tan experimented for about six months and made two items. Later, he also recreated running shoes and dumbbells from paper for ritual offerings.
According to Tan, the number of traditional craftspeople in Singapore is declining because older specialists are retiring. He believes that at 50, he may be one of the youngest practitioners in this field. Two years ago, the craftsman began holding workshops, but has not yet taken on an apprentice, although young people have approached him wishing to learn.
An additional challenge for handmade work is competition from cheaper ready-made products on e-commerce platforms. The craftsman noted that he sometimes spends up to a week on one item, although its price may be around 100 Singapore dollars. Tan says he wants to continue working as long as his health and eyesight allow.
