KUCHING: Tin cans are often discarded without a second thought, but batik artist Michael Lim Tiang Ek sees them in a different light.
The 81-year-old Kuching-based artist turns them into intricate grasshopper ornaments.
Lim’s hands deftly twisted and shaped thinly-cut strips of tin cans, saying that he was inspired to dabble in this unique form of craft upon seeing a similar ornament from Hong Kong.
“I was wondering how it was made. Then, many years later I was taught by someone who had learnt how to create this, and from there I started as a beginner.
“As soon as I could finish one whole grasshopper, I became even more interested and serious in this craft,” he explained.
Once he improved further, he began to produce even more, displaying them overseas in New York, Washington, California, and other places.
“I was also invited to China, and I showed these grasshoppers there too,” Lim told New Sarawak Tribune.
He chuckled as he recalled that while he was demonstrating his craft, his customers were so worried that he would cut his hand on the edges of the tin can.
However, he reassured them that the technique which he uses to cut the tin would not cause cuts. “It is like a ribbon.”
According to Lim, it could take half a day to make one grasshopper.
“The raw materials are not expensive, but it is the time taken to make the ornament that factors into the price.”
He also pointed out his hat-topper, a hornbill ornament which he had affixed to the top of his hat. “This took me two days to make. You could use these ornaments as keychains, earrings, pendants, or other accessories as well.”
Lim revealed that he previously worked in the commercial industry, but his true passion was always in art.
“I have been doing art since 1965,” he revealed with a proud smile.
While tin can grasshoppers are a relatively new hobby for him, he mainly works with batik and has showcased his work in various locales such as Indonesia, Thailand, London, and more.
Holding up a Sarawak-esque batik masterpiece of his which featured hornbills, greenery, orchids, and native pitcher plants, the artist said that he tried to incorporate natural dyes as much as possible in his batik.
He has also used paints such as watercolour, oil, and acrylic.
Lim was showcasing his art at the World Crafts Cities Network Forum in conjunction with the 10th Biennial World Eco-Fibre and Textile (WEFT) Forum, Exhibition and Fashion Show held at the new Sarawak Museum Complex here from Nov 8 to 10.
He highlighted the spirit of camaraderie within the arts and crafts community — “It is like a big family all working with art”.
