Origami takes off with stunning fighter jets

The retired teacher showing some of his creations at his studio in Bukit Jambul, Penang. — Bernama

RETIRED teacher Ee Choo Teck, 88, proves to be an origami master, having produced 600 types of fighter jets using the paper-folding technique.

He has been making origami for 24 years and now owns a studio called Modern Origami located in Bukit Jambul, Penang, to display thousands of his origami works.

Ee, who hails from Yong Peng, Johor, said he became interested in origami after attending an airplane exhibition in Singapore in 1998.

“After my return from the airplane exhibition, I started making fighter jets by folding papers for my grandson.

Ee selling his craftwork at the Armenian Street weekend market.

“That was how I started making origami and it has now become my passion,” he said at his home in Bukit Jambul.

Ee said that the first origami fighter jet he produced was an F15 using an A4 size paper.

The largest F15 origami is over one metre in size, which he said took him almost a day to complete.

Ee, who moved to Penang in 2000 to teach at SJK (C) Kwang Hwa, said he would produce origami to give his students as gifts.

“It was then that a teacher friend suggested that I sell origami fighter jets because the origami is unique and beautiful.

“So, that started me making origami fighter jets and I initially gave my craftwork to non-governmental organisations tor them to sell to raise funds,” he said.

Due to the encouraging response, Ee participated in the Armenian Street market to sell his craftwork and was able to sell between 40 to 50 origami fighter jets of various sizes daily with sales amounting to RM300.

“I sell the origami fighter jet for between RM5 and RM10, depending on the size and type. I also have thousands of origami in the studio on display,” he said.

Ee said he could make more than 100 origami fighter jets using A4-size paper in a day.

“I can produce more than 600 types of origami fighter jets of different sizes, colours and types.

“All my origami fighter jets are not just decorative items. They can fly like other paper airplanes,” he said. – Bernama