Traditional Wood Carving Legacy With Reference To Works Of Master Craftsman, Allahyarham Wan Mustafa Wan Su

The art and craft of traditional Malay woodcarving may be forgotten by modern generation and consequently would gradually become one of an extinct craft in Malaysia if lack of effort in saving its legacy. This paper aims to uncover the art and craft heritage of traditional woodcarving and its visual attributes and craftsmanship in the works of a master craftsman, Allahyarham Wan Mustafa Wan Su, who was actively involved in the craft industry before he passed away in 2019. Traditional Malay wood carving is synonymous with the Malay heritage, especially in the Northern Eastern states of Peninsula Malaysia. Safeguarding of this intangible heritage is crucial after the departure of the master craftsman, who had contributed a lot in the woodcarving industry. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to analyse his works in relation to his crafts and styles of craftsmanship. His works and opinions that served as inferential evidences were obtained through face-to-face interviews that was conducted within an informal setting. The interviews focused on the aspect of craft and craftsmanship of woodcarving with particular emphasis on the visual attributes and technique use. Observation and photographic documentation of his works were necessary measures to complement the interviews. Hence, examination on the works produced by the master, which exemplifies his distinctive craftsmanship is also addressed in this paper. The research founds that additional values including artistic and design skills further enrich the products of the master carver, which not only provide stimulus for admiration but also serve as valuable references for the present and future generation of woodcarvers. Thus, from this research, the knowledge about the woodcarving could spread for further research to ensure the future survival of the craft heritage