In brief
Showcase of Daisy Pak's journey as a rare female bamboo scaffolding expert, highlighting her dedication to an ancient craft that confronts modern challenges as metal begins to dominate the skyline.
As a truckload of bamboo poles arrived at a narrow street in Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, Daisy Pak stowed her cigarette and secured her safety harness while the sound of Prince reverberated through the air via a Bluetooth speaker. With a determined focus, she maneuvered a loaded cart into an elevator, carefully opened a small window on the ninth floor, and stepped out onto a narrow pipe, preparing to build a unique latticework that clung to the exterior of the building.Now 31 years old, Daisy Pak is one of the very few female bamboo scaffolding workers in the city, utilizing an ancient Chinese artisan practice synonymous with Hong Kong, even as its prevalence wanes in other regions of China. Embracing this craft in 2021 after overcoming personal struggles with addiction and financial hardship, she discovered a demand for skilled workers in the construction sector, alongside a deep-seated passion for the time-honored technique. "It’s so special, to build something completely all out of bamboo,” she shared appreciatively.Traditionally, scaffolding artisans master their skills by apprenticing with a single mentor, passing knowledge down through generations. However, Ms. Pak braved a different approach, working under various bosses, allowing her to expand her craft and perfect her techniques while navigating significant criticism regarding her novice experience and petite 5-foot-1 stature. She endured an array of challenges; when dismantling a scaffold, a colleague once tossed her poles instead of passing them down safely. Despite facing wage discrepancies and physical bruising, her resolve remained unshaken. "I was born with the will to prove people wrong, to do things that they say cannot be done," Ms. Pak expressed, encapsulating her steadfast spirit in an evolving world that increasingly favors metal over bamboo. Her commitment reflects a broader cultural heritage that risks being forgotten as modernization continues to shape urban landscapes.
