Master Jiang
" One can not just rely on talent alone.
Full hearted passion and resilience is also needed"
The Mysterious Painter
During a sunny afternoon, a manikin, tanned old man was squatting under the hot sun while drawing on bamboo blinds in front of Lau Hoi Kee blinds shop. When the researchers approached him for an interview, he looked up gradually and gently laid down his brush and instantly portrayed a warm-smiling face as a sign of welcome. He proceeded to sit by the side of the walkway (aka Kaki Lima) and lit up a cigarette, to share his story. The researchers was blessed to be able meet him: Master Jiang (蒋师傅), a 73 year old (age in 2018) painter, who specialises in drawing on object surfaces, such as blinds, wall murals, and even advertisements on the vehicles back in the day. Contrary to other craftsmen who station themselves in their shop, Master Jiang travels around Perak as a freelancer wherever the jobs take him.
Master Jiang developed his drawing skills through merely observation and self-learning, from the age of 12. While other craftsmanship usually inherit the skill from their forefathers, Master Jiang was self sufficient to learn the art form single handedly from scratch any proper apprenticeship. He laughed while recalling the reason he started this trade “....since I am small in stature, I don’t have the stamina to work in construction, hence I got into this trade as I can easily climb up and down the blinds”.
He proudly advocates to the researchers that he is able to draw any features when samples are shown to him. While with the aid of technology, he can easily imitate any printed graphics provided to him by clients. Contrary to the early days, relying solely on the narration of his clients, he had to imagine and sketch his clients description before he could scale it into the actual size. He sadly recalled “...clients refused to pay when the outcome did not meet their expectation”, hence sketching is important. He asserted that "...this skill cannot be coached! I learned by doing, and even now (after so many years), I'm still learning". He added that “...it is more difficult to draw human faces, especially capturing nuanced expressions of the eyes, noses and smiles”.
When asked about which was his most momentous art piece, he only humbly replied "...I am not a talented artist, I just merely draw better compared to others". This humility is translated through his passion amidst working in harsh weather conditions i.e. under the hot sun to create his craft. According to him, he charges RM10 per square feet for a set of blinds, and only asks for additional if there are special requests.
Like many other craftsmanship, the art of the blinds painter’s craft is dramatically eclipsed by technology. Master Jiang, who humbly acknowledges his lack of tech-savviness, resides to the fact that technology conveniently produces cheaper and more efficient results. However, his hope is not dashed as he believes that his skill will interest someone to revive it. With sincerity in his eyes, Master Jiang proclaimed that "One can not just rely on talent alone. Full hearted passion and resilience is also needed”. Looking sentimentally towards an old two-wheeler, he concluded the interview by saying, “While many of my friends are ill by the time they reach 60, I will keep going as long as I am healthy. I don’t own any valuable possession except for this bicycle that faithfully transports me to my work no matter how far it may be”.
" One can not just rely on
talent alone.
Full hearted passion and resilience
is also needed"
- Master Jiang
