Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Han Liang) news: On January 13, 2026, stepping into the studio of Zhang Jinjun, a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of dough-figurine art, one is greeted by a rich, artistic atmosphere. Zhang's journey with dough sculpture began under the gentle influence of his family: both his grandfather and father were clay sculpture enthusiasts, and the clay figurines they casually shaped in their spare time became the most treasured toys of his childhood.

Photo taken on January 13, 2026 shows Zhang Jinjun gildes the dough figurine.

"When I was a kid, I'd rush home after school every day to learn how to mold clay with my father. That joy was something nothing else could replace," Zhang Jinjun recalled.

At sixteen, Zhang resolved to carve out a future with nothing but his skill in shaping clay and dough figurines. His father sent him to south China's Shenzhen to apprentice under Xiao Zhanxing, a veteran dough-sculptor, and afterward Zhang continued on to the Guangdong Academy of Fine Arts, concentrating on meticulous brush-figure painting. "Dough sculpture is far more than simply 'twisting dough dolls'," he insisted, "It is a comprehensive art that blends painting, sculpture, and many other artistic disciplines."

Photo taken on January 13, 2026 shows Zhang Jinjun crafts dough figurines.

Photo taken on January 13, 2026 shows Zhang Jinjun crafts dough figurines.

After completing his studies, Zhang Jinjun developed a distinctive style for his dough-sculpture works, which are marked by large dimensions, brilliant colors, and wide-ranging subject matter. The pieces he creates are usually over 30 cm tall, with the largest reaching 1.2 m. From the classic literary figures of Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber to historical heroes such as Guan Yu and Zhao Yun, every work is infused with his painstaking effort. To solve the long-standing problems of cracking during drying and later mildew or fading, he continuously adjusted the flour-mix formula until he arrived at an optimal recipe that allows his sculptures to endure for years.

Photo taken on January 13, 2026 shows the dough figurines of the "Eighteen Arhats" made by Zhang Jinjun.

As an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, Zhang is acutely aware that the significance of inheritance lies not only in safeguarding technique but also in constant innovation and outreach. Building on traditional themes, he has created wearable dough-sculpture pendants, refrigerator magnets, and other items that combine visual appeal with everyday utility, bringing the art into ordinary households. With this year being the Year of the Horse, his meticulously crafted "Ma Dao Cheng Gong (gain an immediate victory)" series — a traditional Chinese idiom symbolizing success and smooth progress, especially fitting for the Year of the Horse — has won the hearts of countless young admirers.

"The life force of intangible heritage lies in becoming parts of daily life," Zhang insisted. His other role, as a hotel chef, lets him weave dough-sculpture technique into culinary culture; the sculpted dishes and plated tableaux he designs turn every serving into an eye-catching showpiece, satisfying diners' palates while delivering a visual feast.

Photo taken on January 13, 2026 shows Zhang Jinjun explains the process of making dough figurines to students at the Fourth Primary School of Changji City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In recent years, Zhang has kept himself on the front line of promoting dough-sculpture skills. He takes part in intangible cultural heritage fairs and traditional-culture exhibitions without reservation, demonstrating every step of the craft. Partnering with kindergartens and primary and middle schools, he has opened dough-modeling classes: "The youngest pupil is only four, yet they can already shape little figurines that actually look the part," he said, pride lighting up his face. Beyond that, he runs a studio and training course where more than 20 enthusiasts of all ages explore and innovate together in the world of dough art.

From learning the craft as a youth to devoting himself to its preservation, Zhang, with a pair of skillful hands, has breathed vibrant new life into the ancient art of dough figurine making in the modern era. He said, "I hope more and more people — especially the younger generation — will come to know and love dough sculpture. In the future, I also want to go to the countryside and teach the craft there, so even more people can appreciate it."

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