Latest news with #woodcarving
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Carving a new life: Kelantan man's Quranic wall art finds fans across South-east Asia
KOTA BHARU, July 26 — What began as a small idea using leftover plywood has now grown into a thriving wood-carving business with customers from across South-east Asia. That is the story of Muhammad Ali Che Pa, 31, who turned to his artistic talent after being laid off as a health product sales representative during the Movement Control Order in 2020. 'I was desperate for income. That's when I got the idea to create decorative wall pieces featuring Quranic verses using wood I already had at home,' he told Bernama at his workshop in Kampung Pangkal Kalong, Kok Lanas, recently. Muhammad Ali Che Pa works on a piece of laser-engraved woodcraft ordered by a customer at his workshop in Kampung Pangkal Kalong, Kok Lanas. — Bernama pic Relying on self-taught skills from Facebook and YouTube, he spent six months crafting his first piece, which unexpectedly sold for RM150 after being posted online. Today, the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Islamic Management graduate produces a range of Islamic-themed woodcrafts, including framed calligraphy, wall clocks and home décor items, popular among buyers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore. 'Plywood is ideal because it's easy to cut and shape. I sketch the design on paper, transfer it to the wood, then carve and sand it,' he said. Initially, manual carving took up to four days per piece, limiting him to 15 items a month. Muhammad Ali Che Pa inspects the laser engraving process on a woodcraft piece at his workshop in Kampung Pangkal Kalong, Kok Lanas. — Bernama pic To improve efficiency, Muhammad Ali adopted laser cutting technology two years ago, which significantly sped up production and improved precision, enabling him to meet rising demand. He also received a RM10,000 CNC wood router under Kelantan Risda 's entrepreneur mentorship programme, and expects to receive another laser cutter soon. With upgraded tools, Muhammad Ali now produces over 300 items monthly, priced between RM3 and RM800. His monthly income has since soared to five figures, driven by strong demand for Quranic verse carvings in modern home décor. Some of the laser-engraved woodcrafts made by Muhammad Ali Che Pa at his workshop in Kampung Pangkal Kalong, Kok Lanas. — Bernama pic 'Each design has its own value. I'm grateful that through this craft, I can share the beauty of Quranic verses while earning a halal, blessed livelihood,' said the artisan, who is assisted by his wife, Nur Hanisah Mohd Zulkifli, 27. Through his brand, Art Lie Craft, Muhammad Ali has proven that wood carving is not just an artistic pursuit. It can also be a rewarding livelihood when fuelled by dedication and sincerity. — Bernama
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Oliver Commissions Real Artist to Carve AI Slop Image as ‘Petty' Revenge
John Oliver is no big fan of AI creations — at least, not in a way that goes beyond amused horror — so, on Sunday night's episode of 'Last Week Tonight,' he took his 'petty' revenge on the machines. The HBO host centered his main story on the use of AI programs, conceding that mastering them has proven financially lucrative for a handful of creators and just about all of the businesses that incentivize them. But he also pointed out the many flaws of AI, including the fact that, more often than not, it is simply stealing the work of real creators. 'And look, I'm not saying some of this stuff isn't fun to watch. What I am saying is some of it's potentially very dangerous, and even when it isn't, the technology that makes it possible only works because it trains on the work of actual artists,' he explained. 'So any enjoyment you may get from weird, funny AI slop tends to be undercut when you know that someone's hard work was stolen in order to create it.' The host zeroed in on one creator in particular, a wood carver named Michael Jones. Jones uses a chainsaw to create massive, life-like carvings of various creatures, and an image of his work turned into a trend of AI-generated images of people posing next to more carvings, claiming they made them themselves. So, as the show ended, Oliver gave Jones a chance to not only show off his abilities, but also do the same thing to AI that AI did to him. 'I don't have a big fix for all of this, or indeed, any of it. What I do have, though is a petty way to respond,' Oliver said. 'Because perhaps one small way to get back at all the AI slop ripping off artists would be to create real art by ripping off AI slop. So please come with me.' At that, he stood from his desk and took the camera over to a real-life wood carving of an AI-generated image — in this case, a weirdly buff man made out of cabbage, the AI version of which simply tickled Oliver — and Jones standing next to it. 'Look at the details there! This thing is an absolute masterpiece!' Oliver crowed. 'And seeing this, does it make you want to thank the real artists who made it? Well, I've got some great news for you. You can do that because we flew him here too. Michael is here!' 'What a fun way to celebrate the destruction of our shared objective reality!' Oliver added as the show wrapped up. 'We are f–ked!' You can watch the full segment from 'Last Week Tonight' in the video above. The post John Oliver Commissions Real Artist to Carve AI Slop Image as 'Petty' Revenge | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
