From 1930 until the outbreak of the Pacific War, Teochew Opera was very popular in Malaysia, seen in the rise of local theatre troupes. Today, Teochew Opera in Penang is linked to temples, with income from seasonal performances for Chinese deities sustaining these troupes. While it is cherished by older people as part of their memories, many young people have lost interest due to a lack of understanding of the dialects, preferring to engage with modern trends.

In the past, people communicated through letters and used stamps as proof of postage. Pos Malaysia still promotes local culture by issuing stamps. Today, with the Internet, stamps have become mostly collectibles as people now use social media and email to stay in touch.

I personally photographed the character in the top half of the painting at a Teochew Opera performance held in the temple, Parit Buntar Xin Xing Gang Na Duo Gong Miao near my hometown, Nibong Tebal, Penang. I used to go to the performances with my grandmother when I was a child. Now, after so many years, the performance is still there and the tradition still continues. In the second, upside-down half, I used the character I shot as a prototype to create a brand image for a trendy toy blind box. The character "潮" fits into different meanings on either side: 潮剧 for Teochew Opera, 潮流 for modern trends and 潮玩 for trendy play.

Through the combination of Teochew Opera and postage stamps, my creation aims to demonstrate how traditional culture can be preserved and adapted in modern society. Although younger generations may have a diminished understanding of Teochew Opera, innovation and integration with contemporary trends can breathe new life into these traditional art forms.
– TAN YING JUENG