ARTIST WITH DISABILITIES ACHIEVES SUCCESS WITH FLORAL SCULPTURES

By Noornasrin Salsabila Othman

KOTA BHARU, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The determination of 50-year-old Azmi Tahar, a person with disabilities, has led to supplementing his income by creating floral sculptures. 

Azmi, who has a spinal cord injury, said he collaborated with his wife, Shalily Sajad, 51, to produce these floral sculptures, and the venture became a lifeline after he became disabled in 2000 following an accident. 

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He explained that before this, the couple crafted coin banks, chains, earrings, and pots using coconut shells. However, that endeavour was short-lived, after which they shifted their focus to floral sculptures.

“We decided to venture into sculpture painting since my wife has a background in graphic arts.

"Our transition to making floral sculptures occurred after we faced challenges with coconut shell crafts, which required a lot of physical effort for smoothing and cutting, even though the costs were minimal," he told Bernama during the Malaysian Craft Promotion held here yesterday.

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Continuing his story, the father of two adult children in their 20s and 30s, said that the floral sculpture business is more relaxed and suitable for his condition, as he relies on a wheelchair most of the time.

Azmi explained that the processing of the sculptures begins with creating a base using special plaster, which is then coloured and completely dried for one to two days, depending on the weather. 

"Once the base is ready, floral themes, such as roses or tulips, are formed and placed on the bases, which include wall clocks, picture frames, clocks, cookie jars, and key holders.

"Each product takes at least one day to create. Depending on the design and size, it can take up to five days," said Azmi, who resides in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan.

In terms of pricing, he said the products sell for as low as RM29, with the most expensive ones reaching RM500. He has even earned up to RM10,000 in a month, he added. 

-- BERNAMA