How would you define what you do?
The lion head artists have different techniques that can be deployed to affects the appearance, expressions and movements of the lion head. A very important point I need to consider is that the comfort of the dancers when they carry the lion head to dance is carefully scrutinised .
What are your special skills?
My specialisation is to make the most light weight lion heads for the lion dancers to wear easily. I also make tailor made pieces to suit a customer’s preference: traditional colours represent the different fighters’ personality and stories in old Chinese history.
Nicky Loh © Michelangelo Foundation
When and how did you actually start?
After leaving secondary school, I joined a Lion Dance Troupe. I did two years of national service and several years of full-time work in the aerospace industry, before I decided to set up my own Lion Dance Troupe. During that period, I got married, had my first child and I opened my own Lion Dance costume business.
Could your craft be considered in danger?
Yes. Not only the craft but the occupation. The art and its related techniques may go extinct. The competition of imported goods is fierce, mostly from China where much cheaper pieces can be bought, but they are not made in the traditional way.