纸扎工作坊 Paper Effigy, Reimagined: A Chinese Traditional Craft Workshop

A Chinese Traditional Paper Effigy Workshop exploring folk design, ritual objects and installation art.

What do you see when you look at a traditional paper effigy?

A ritual object?
A handcrafted sculpture?
A temporary installation?
Or a piece of community art?

In this workshop, we invite you to look beyond the ritual function of Chinese paper effigy craft and explore it through the lens of folk design, visual language and installation art.

Led by Singaporean traditional crafts practitioner Francis Tan (陈贵财), the workshop introduces participants to the craft traditions behind the colourful paper figures found during Ullambana Festival celebrations in Singapore.

You will learn how traditional paper effigies use colour, scale, symbolism, materials and composition to create powerful visual forms within community spaces.

And then—you get to make one yourself.

Discover the cultural background of paper effigies and their role in Ullambana Festival traditions.

Look at the colours, patterns, facial expressions, costumes and symbolic elements that make these figures instantly recognisable.

Think about paper effigies not simply as objects, but as temporary installations that transform streets, temples and community spaces.

Experiment with traditional painting techniques and create your own paper effigy-inspired artwork under the guidance of Francis Tan.

This is not a religious class.

It is a cultural and creative workshop that approaches traditional craft through art, design and community culture.

No previous drawing or art-making experience is required.

Whether you are interested in:

• Traditional crafts
• Contemporary art
• Graphic / visual design
• Installation art
• Cultural heritage
• Folk art
• Community art
• Or simply making something weird and colourful with your hands

—you are welcome.

Francis Tan is a Singaporean traditional crafts practitioner specialising in paper effigy making and related folk crafts.

Beginning with woodworking from a young age, Francis has spent decades developing skills across wood carving, painting, lantern making, paper effigy construction, gold-leaf work, clay sculpture and religious craft.

His practice is largely self-taught and rooted in years of experimentation and hands-on making.

Francis is also associated with Peng Lai Carving Studio（蓬莱雕坊） and has participated in the National Heritage Board’s Craft X Design programme.

Through his practice and workshops, he continues to explore how traditional craft can remain relevant to contemporary communities.

Participants will work with a prepared paper effigy form and explore traditional decorative and painting techniques.

You will leave the workshop with your own completed piece and a deeper understanding of how traditional craft functions as:

Ritual → Object → Design → Space → Community

📅 Date: 5 September 2026 (Saturday)
⏰ Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Venue: 仙和寺
21 Lorong 104 Changi, Singapore 426565

💰 Ticket: S$25
👥 Limited to: 12 participants
Age: 16 and above

All materials will be provided.

This workshop is part of the 2026 Ullambana Festival Cultural Experience Series, organised by:

Escape Art Club × Singapore Teochew Heritage Society

The series explores Ullambana Festival traditions in Singapore through cultural walking tours, community practices and traditional craft.

16+ | No experience required

Perfect for:

• Students & young creatives
• Art & design students
• Culture enthusiasts
• Artists and makers
• Anyone curious about Singapore’s traditional culture
• Anyone who wants to try something completely different

Limited to 12 places only.

This workshop takes place within a temple environment and engages with traditional religious and cultural objects. Participants are encouraged to approach the workshop with respect towards the cultural and ritual context of the craft.