Why did you choose this craft?
I studied machining and my first career was working as a machinist at the Singapore Bus Service. During the year 1978, while I was helping out at Jothi Flower Shop, my passion for this art was born. From then on, I slowly started to pick up the skills before deciding to dedicate myself to mastering it.
What are your specialisations?
I specialise in crafting wedding garlands. These garlands use a significant amount of flowers and can only be done several hours before the event to retain their freshness. There is a variety of tying methods for garland making. One of which includes tying the flowers only using banana fibre and raffia strings.
Nicky Loh © Michelangelo Foundation
What do people not normally know about your work?
The garlands that I sell are made by my own two hands. As flowers are highly perishable products, it is not that easy to master the skill of garland making. Long hours, hard work and the determination to not give up to produce garlands with huge time pressures may not be known to people.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?
The thing that springs to mind, was when I was given the chance to craft an orchid garland for Singapore's first Olympic Gold Medallist, Joseph Schooling. Knowing that athlete would wear the garland I made for him using my bare hands gave me a great deal of satisfaction.