BATU GAJAH: To Chang Khin Fatt, the phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” rings true.
The 73-year-old’s eyes will light up when he sees discarded plastic bottles, tree branches or other recyclable waste.
To him, these are precious materials he can use to create lanterns, artworks and decorations.
“I would go around to look for discarded recyclable materials, like plastic bottles, cardboard packaging or unwanted materials from various shops
“I would then try to visualise what I could make from these items,” he said when met at his home in Papan, here.
“I’ve never referred to any books for ideas. They are all my own ideas.”
He said his latest creations were butterfly and penguin-shaped lanterns.
“The main material for the lanterns is a detergent bottle.
“The shape of the detergent bottle resembled the body of a penguin, while I could also cut out some parts to be turned into butterfly wings,” he said, adding that he tries not to waste any of the materials.
“I made nine butterfly and seven penguin-shaped lanterns.
“These were paraded in a Mid-Autumn Festival procession that was organised by a temple in Batu Gajah on Saturday,” he added.
Chang said he got interested into using recyclables and turning them into artworks about 30 years ago.
“My son was required to make a lantern using recyclable materials for a competition at school and had asked for my help.
“I refused initially because it was his task, but with barely a few days left before the deadline, he panicked, and I relented and helped him,” he said.
“The lantern we made got first prize, beating other entries which we felt were better.
“Since then, it really piqued my interest, and I began experimenting with more materials,” he said, adding that his creations have won numerous awards and prizes over the last few decades.
The father of three said that after the movement control order following the Covid-19 pandemic, he slowed down on taking part in lantern-making contests.
“Now, I’m just doing it purely as a hobby.
“Whenever I feel inspired after looking at some materials, I would just take my own sweet time to create something, be it a lantern or some decorations.”
