Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter: Tang Yong) news: On January 14, 2026, stepping into Wang Fan's studio located on West Bajiahu Road in Urumqi City, one felt as if entering an artistic world brimming with stories. On the antique-style solid wood display shelves, a series of vivid dough figurine works are on display. There are valiant and heroic Red Army soldiers, elegant and demure ladies with hairpins, passionate Mongolian Boke (a form of traditional Mongolian wrestling) performers, gracefully dancing Uygur girls. These works feature exaggerated bodily postures and lifelike expressions, leaving visitors' eyes too busy to take it all in. Wang Fan sat upright beside the workbench, with her dough figurine-carving knife moving up and down deftly. Her movements were as smooth as flowing water, and the dough figurines under his fingertips seemed to be infused with life, appearing vivid and lively.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan colors the dough figurines.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan creates dough figurine works.

Dough figurine making, a traditional craft commonly known among the folk as "dough figurine sculpting," uses wheat flour and glutinous rice flour as the main materials, which are then mixed with dough of different colors to shape various animal or human figures. This craft boasts a long history.

Wang Fan, born in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, has been passionate about painting since childhood. During her university years, she majored in arts and crafts, with a particular talent for clay sculpting. By chance, she came across dough figurine making and has since forged an inseparable bond with this craft. Over the past two decades, she has transformed from a complete novice into a master of arts and crafts in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage craft of dough figurine making in Bole City. Behind this transformation lies her unwavering perseverance and relentless effort day after day.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan attaches a bag to the dough figurine‌.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan teaches residents the art of dough figurine making.‌

The themes of Wang Fan's works mostly center on the folk customs and traditions across Xinjiang, skillfully integrating the rich and diverse ethnic cultures into the art of dough figurine making. In 2021, her work "Naadam Boke Wrestlers" won the gold award at the China Arts and Crafts "Golden Phoenix" Innovative Product Design Competition. In 2023, "Dance Rhythms of Kuqa" claimed the gold medal of the "Xiangtu Award," the highest accolade from the China Arts and Crafts Association. That same year, "Going to the Bazaar" secured the gold medal of the "Baihua Cup," the top prize in China's arts and crafts field. In 2025, "Eagle Dance in Tianshan" earned the "Rising Star Award" at the 5th "Baihe Cup" Arts and Crafts Design Innovation Competition. Each of these honors stands as a testament to her unwavering pursuit on the artistic journey.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan makes dough figurine heads.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan organizes her work Eagle Dance in Tianshan.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan creates works with horses as the theme.

Photo taken on January 14, 2026 shows Wang Fan’s work "Going to the Bazaar".

In addition to dedicating herself to creation, Wang Fan also actively engages in the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, she has frequently visited schools and communities to conduct dough figurine-making experiences and lectures, enabling more people to recognize, understand, and personally experience the charm of dough figurine art. She said, "Dough figurine making is my lifelong passion and also a responsibility. Through my own hands, I want to 'sculpt' Xinjiang's local customs, traditions, and ethnic stories into the dough, allowing more people to witness the warmth and vitality embedded in traditional craftsmanship. As long as there are people willing to learn and watch, I will keep doing this, ensuring that this age-old craft continues to shine in the new era."

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