Peng Yimin creates miniature buildings using mostly waste materials. The 81-year-old from Shanghai's Sijing town started to learn the craft 20 years ago after retirement. (HE QI / CHINA DAILY)
Unlike his retired friends, who can spend all day playing mahjong, Peng Yimin prefers spending his time re-creating buildings－in miniature form.
Since learning of the art form 20 years ago when he was attending a school for senior citizens, the 81-year-old has created hundreds of miniature buildings.
Many of his works have received accolades, including a replica of the iconic City God Temple in Shanghai which won first prize in a national competition. The model, which took him a year to complete, is now held by Sijing town, the area where his small studio is located.
His other notable creations include celebrities' residences and Sijing Old Town.
"Most of my works, including the China Pavilion of the World Expo, are being displayed in different institutions as well as at the school for senior citizens in Sijing town," Peng says.
Although his creations may look impressive and incredibly detailed, Peng does not spend much on this hobby－he relies primarily on such waste materials as used bamboo chopsticks, discarded tri-ply wood, mooncake boxes, cigarette boxes and old fabrics.
He says that it is difficult to determine how long it would take to complete a model. A small model could be finished in an hour, but larger works could require months or even years, he says.
One of Peng's first miniature models was a replica of the Anfang Tower, a scenic spot in Sijing town that was part of the reconstruction project of the ancient town in 2002.
Having passed by the tower almost every day, Peng wondered if he could make a model of it. This was when he realized that one needs more than just a steady pair of hands to create miniature models－a good memory was essential as well.
Peng Yimin creates miniature buildings using mostly waste materials. The 81-year-old from Shanghai's Sijing town started to learn the craft 20 years ago after retirement. (HE QI / CHINA DAILY)
He did not have the structural drawings of the tower nor a camera at that time, so he could only rely on his eyes, he says.
"I had to take note of the height of each floor, the camber of the eaves and even the patterns of railings and window decorations."
Peng spared no effort when it came to the details, including fixtures such as the eight bells on each floor. These tiny bells, which he created using scrap metal, could even be rung.
"No one would tell you how to create each part and you just have to rely on your imagination. I find that this is the most difficult part about creating miniature models," he says.
When asked about his favorite works, Peng singled out the re-creation of the shops and streets of Sijing town that he used to frequent when he was young.
"All these shops, such as the parasol shop, the scissors shop and the traditional cloth shop, that I have restored no longer exist. I recreated them based solely on my memories－there was just nothing for me to reference," he says.
Despite being skilled in the art form, Peng says he has no desire to teach, not because he is afraid others might surpass him, but because he has no idea how he would go about teaching.
"There are many people who have said that they want to learn from me, but I do not have an apprentice as I simply don't know how to teach," he quips.
"I'm a self-taught artist. I don't have books or notes that I can pass to my students."
Peng says his upcoming projects include recreating shikumen buildings in Shanghai and the Tian'anmen Rostrum in Beijing.
