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Community
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Stories of Vendors
Chris Khoo has a rare gift - patience. This 35-year-old artist has, through trial and error, formulated a clay which, when molded, keeps the fineness of the sensuous folds in a sari or the delicateness of the selandang on a kebaya. He first came into contact with the properties of clay when a young Japanese woman began spending time at his family home. The wife of his father's work colleague, she would bring with her clay specially brought over from Japan, and make roses. At just 18, Chris learned the basics of molding clay into flowers from her. He then proceeded to mould other types of flowers. As importing clay from Japan was very expensive, Chris began formulating his own clay mixtures. Today he is the only person making this type of clay and has become its sole supplier. When asked if this was something he had always wanted to do, Chris answered, 'I wanted to be an interior designer but not go to college as I had to help my father. So I slowly made my hobby into a business'. 'I started with selling the flowers I made in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Although there was a demand, they were expensive to transport. The flowers were fragile and needed care in transportation. So I began to teach, traveling as far as Sungai Petani and Kulim'.
Chris started to make his beautiful dolls just last year, slowly moving from less pliant clay to new formulas which could take the flowing lines required in making the elaborate Asian costumes. Because they are hand made, each doll is unique. Presently, his dolls have a very Malaysian identity, wearing saris, kebayas and Chinese costumes. He also makes male dolls although in much smaller quantities. He has stopped travelling to teach and is now teaching from his company called Yenji Wonder Clay, at Prima Tanjung. Here he is surrounded by clay flowers of all kinds made by his many students. He is presently trying to formulate a clay which can be used to make small figurines for children. Chris is a regular at our market.
Written
by Ambiga Devy |
Picture
Perfect Malaysian Dolls
