GEORGE TOWN, Aug. 9 -- For more than two decades, Lee Chee Cheng has turned plain planks into ornate signboards bearing gilded Chinese characters, dragons, qilin and other symbols of prosperity.

The 63-year-old proprietor of Sung Dynasty Wood Carving learned the traditional craft from his late uncle, who had operated from Air Itam, before eventually taking over the trade.

"I learned from my uncle for several years. Before that, I worked in sales, selling books and cars," he said in an interview with Malay Mail.

Labour of love

Lee said he had initially resisted entering the labour-intensive trade when he was younger, choosing instead to work in other industries.

"You know how it is, when you are young, you want to do other things, you...