Artist turns bamboo charcoal into creations of beauty

Dr Mah (second from right) receiving a bamboo charcoal art decorative item as a souvenir from Cheng (front row, second from left) during the Chinese New Year Funfair at the Woody-Hand Art Gallery in Tasek, Ipoh. With them are Cheng’s husband Leong Sek Khee (right), Bercham New Village Head Lim Huey Shan (left), and Ipoh Barat MCA Youth chief Aldrich Low (centre).

BLACK and coarse, it takes a person of refined taste to appreciate the beauty of bamboo charcoal.

In the hands of a capable artist, this type of bamboo is transformed into something more visually arresting with hand-painted cherry blossoms and peonies.