Photo shows Huai Yuanchen (R) gives guidance to a student on her competition work. (Photo by Shiliuyun- Xinjiang Daily/ Wang Xinhong)

Shiliuyun - Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Wang Xinhong) news: Since the beginning of this year, Huai Yuanchen rarely had free time. He has been conducting two classes on dough figurine making every day, keeping him extremely busy and constantly on the move.

Huai Yuanchen, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of dough modeling in Urumqi City, was named the "2022 Xinjiang Intangible Cultural Heritage Person". On June 23, 2023, when the reporter met him, he had just rushed back to the apprenticeship room at the Urumqi Cultural Center from a teaching class on dough figurine making.

"The overall concept and structure of the work are good, you should just make some further refinement on the head." Huai Yuanchen said to Yang Shuran, a student who created a competition entry in the apprenticeship room. It took Huai Yuanchen 13 years to go from having only one student when he started teaching dough modeling to now having thousands of students.

Photo shows dough figurines made by children. (Photo by Shiliuyun- Xinjiang Daily/ Wang Xinhong)

In 2010, Huai Yuanchen, who was engaged in trade, met Na Dinghao, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of dough modeling at the regional-level and a master of arts and crafts in Xinjiang.

“When I saw the dough figurines of master Na Dinghao, I was stunned. Those lifelike and exquisite works filled me with joy, and it immediately drove me to the idea of learning dough modeling art,” Huai Yuanchen said. “Master Na Dinghao has outstanding skills and a keen eye for artistic design. The dough figurines created under his guidance are vivid and highly inspiring.”

Photo shows Huai Yuanchen makes a dough figurine work. (Photo courtesy of Huai Yuanchen)

The art of dough modeling has opened up a new perspective for Huai Yuanchen to observe the world, as well as initiating a new chapter in his life journey.

Huai Yuanchen introduced that dough modeling is an ancient folk traditional Chinese art, with written records dating back to the Han Dynasty. It is considered a part of Chinese folk culture and art. And it is also regarded as one of the treasures of China’s outstanding traditional culture.

Photo shows a dough figurine work of Huai Yuanchen. (Photo courtesy of Huai Yuanchen)

"With the guidance of a master, a student's skills can improve rapidly. However, relying solely on the master is not enough. One must also put in effort to study and strive for self-improvement." With the meticulous guidance of master Na Dinghao, Huai Yuanchen, who had a solid foundation in painting, quickly gained proficiency in dough figurine making. After pinching, kneading, and rubbing the dough, he deftly used small bamboo knives to dot, cut, carve, and trace the dough, while also innovatively incorporating current trends and cultural elements into his dough figurines. Each small piece of dough, after his careful sculpting, transformed into visually pleasing artworks. His dough figurines gained recognition in his peers, and his piece "Flower Fairy" won an excellence award in the first national flower design competition.

Since engaging in the art of dough modeling, Huai Yuanchen has repeatedly visited schools across Xinjiang to pass on his skills. In his classes, he presents the intricate craftsmanship of dough figurine making to the children with precise instructions. He guides them hands-on, transforming ordinary dough into magical figures and sparking their curiosity and desire to explore. Many children, through the experience of dough figurine making, have come to appreciate the charm and magic of China's outstanding traditional culture, and as a result, they have developed a love for the art of dough modeling.

Photo shows a Huai Yuanchen’s dough figurine work. (Photo courtesy of Huai Yuanchen)

Nowadays, Huai Yuanchen has established stable partnerships with multiple primary schools. His students' dough figurines, such as "Control" and "Dinosaur World," have won awards in national and regional sculpture competitions.

"Dough modeling has evolved from a niche art form to one that is appreciated by a larger audience. I hope to foster more young people who are interested in dough figurine making through mentorship, ensuring that this craft remains vibrant," said Huai Yuanchen.

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