• Figures carved from pencil leads. “It began about five years ago,” said Mr Lee. “I was carving bamboo chopsticks for my children, when a friend suggested me to carve on pencil lead.”
    Figures carved from pencil leads. “It began about five years ago,” said Mr Lee. “I was carving bamboo chopsticks for my children, when a friend suggested me to carve on pencil lead.”
  • “So I began, and then I became addicted to it. I first carved Chinese weapons and then tried more complicated subjects.”
    “So I began, and then I became addicted to it. I first carved Chinese weapons and then tried more complicated subjects.”
  • Letters of the English alphabet carved on pencil leads.
    Letters of the English alphabet carved on pencil leads.
  • Taiwanese artist Chien-chu Lee, carves a ‘Monkey King’ from the tip of a pencil lead to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year.
    Taiwanese artist Chien-chu Lee, carves a ‘Monkey King’ from the tip of a pencil lead to mark the Chinese Lunar New Year.
  • A Buddha hand carved from the tip of a pencil.
    A Buddha hand carved from the tip of a pencil.
  • Ancient Chinese weapons.
    Ancient Chinese weapons.
  • Artworks from Taiwanese artist Chien-chu Lee.
    Artworks from Taiwanese artist Chien-chu Lee.
  • The Eiffel Tower.
    The Eiffel Tower.
  • February 8 will mark the Year of the Monkey.
    February 8 will mark the Year of the Monkey.

World

Burj Al Arab carved from pencil tip part of Taiwanese artist’s impressive work - in pictures

Rob Gurdebeke

February 02, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

Taiwanese artist Chien-chu Lee is an engineer who spends his spare time carving pencil leads as a hobby. All photos by Ritchie B Tongo / EPA

ArtBurj Al ArabTaiwan