Would you have ever imagined that all these intricate figurines were crafted from dough? Yang Kai, a 28-year-old artist from Pingliang City in northwest China’s Gansu Province, has transformed the ancient murals of the Dunhuang caves into vivid three-dimensional scenes using his exceptional dough sculpting skills.
Inspired by the rich Buddhist artworks discovered in the Dunhuang caves, Yang dedicated about a year to create a set of dough sculptures featuring 30 figures. With the assistance of his mother, who helped build the elaborate backgrounds, he brought the flat images of the ancient wall paintings into the realm of tangible art.
“I wanted to breathe new life into these historic murals, making them accessible and engaging for people today,” said Yang. His work was showcased at this year’s Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, which kicked off on September 21. The expo celebrates the cultural heritage and ongoing significance of the ancient Silk Road.
Yang plans to add 13 more figures to his collection, further enriching the piece and continuing his mission to bridge the past and present through art. His dedication not only preserves traditional Chinese dough sculpting techniques but also promotes the cultural treasures of the Dunhuang murals to a wider audience.
The Dunhuang murals are renowned for their historical and artistic value, depicting a fusion of cultural influences along the Silk Road. By reimagining these masterpieces in dough, Yang Kai invites viewers to experience China’s rich history in a new and tactile way.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
