Mr. Au-Yeung / Paper Crafting Master:

"I want to change people's perceptions. Even if something is being burned for ancestors and deceased loved ones, we can still keep them light-hearted. There’s no reason they can’t be cheerful."

Narrator:

Paper crafting carries a uniquely Chinese tradition. Through handcrafted offerings, people express remembrance and affection for loved ones who have passed on.  

Inside paper crafting master Au-yeung’s workshop, there are no dull or sorrowful creations. Using bamboo strips and paper, he transforms everyday objects and beloved characters, such as Doraemon, into imaginative works that challenge the traditional image of paper offerings.

Mr. Au-Yeung / Paper Crafting Master:

"My father opened this paper offering shop. In 1997, after I finished studying design, there were several craftsmen working here. When they retired, I stepped in to help. Later, I started creating my own pieces, such as dance mats and scooters, and displayed them outside the shop. The media came to film them. After that, customers started calling and asking whether I could make trendy offerings, and that was how my journey in paper crafting began."  

"There was a period when I thought about giving up because it was difficult. The work is tough. Bamboo can pierce your hands, and paper work means getting cut by craft knives. But I wanted to challenge myself. Take the AK-47 rifle, for example. I had never even seen a real one, so I went online to research it and find its dimensions. I wanted to see whether I could recreate it accurately. I like taking on challenges. When I entered the industry in 1997, reporters asked me whether I was worried the craft would decline. Up to now, it still hasn't declined. There is still demand for it. People still need it." 

Narrator:

Listed on Hong Kong's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, paper crafting continues to evolve. Through creativity, persistence and a willingness to embrace change, Au-Yeung is helping shape a new future for this traditional art.