The fine art of chiseling timber
Woodworking was a dying industry in Hong Kong until shifting sensibilities and a particularly fierce typhoon prompted a revival. Faye Bradley uncovers what matters most to today's woodwork aficionados.
Sustainability matters
Wong notes that consumer attitude is shifting. Young people are more keen on sustainability. Carpenter Cynthia Wu, an alumna of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC), says consumers prefer pine and oak furniture because these woods are sustainable compared with rosewood and teak, as they grow faster. Last November, the Construction Industry Council's Zero Carbon Park in Kowloon Bay collaborated with the HKIC and Recycle Green to provide a Sustainable Construction Playground built from upcycled scrap timber. Meanwhile, Nan Fung Group's "In Time of" program last autumn hosted Playing Woodstock: Hong Kong Woodwork, an exhibition showcasing local woodcraft groups' works made from recycled logs. The event aimed to promote wood recycling and enhance the public's awareness of wood as a precious resource.
There is a growing appreciation for artisanal skills, as well as pride in local heritage, particularly as it relates to industries under threat. As Luk notes: "Each craftsman puts in their sweat and tears, overcoming challenges and continuously enhancing their skills to produce the wooden objects we see before us."
