Zhang Fuxing - Inheritor of Dough Modeling Skill in Mouding County, Chuxiong 

Introduction

Zhang Fuxing, a Han Chinese male born in 1918, is a revered inheritor of Yunnan's intangible cultural heritage and a master of ​​traditional dough sculpture​​. Hailing from Heping Town, Maoming County, Chuxiong Prefecture, he was born in Tianmen County, Hubei Province, and settled in Yunnan in 1937 at age 20 after traveling as a traveling dough sculptor. Apprenticed at 16 under his uncle, he pioneered a unique fusion of ​​Northern Chinese dough art​​ with Yunnan's indigenous culture, creating a distinct artistic style. Despite his advanced age, he continues to teach apprentices, ensuring the survival of this endangered craft.

Artistic Techniques & Creative Style

​​Technical Features​​

• ​​Themes​​: Primarily depicts characters from classical Chinese literature such as Journey to the West, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and Water Margin, showcasing deep cultural literacy and historical accuracy .
• ​​Realism​​: Captures lifelike details through meticulous observation, earning praise for its "artist-like ability to sculpt landscapes and figures on the spot" .
• ​​Materials​​: Uses wheat flour as the base, finished with a glossy lacquer coating to enhance durability and visual appeal. Unlike edible dough art, his works are purely decorative .
• ​​Style​​: Blends Northern China's intricate detailing with Yunnan's rustic charm, characterized by vibrant colors and dynamic forms .

​​Artistic Evolution​​

• Began with folk figures and mythological characters, later integrating local ethnic motifs from Yunnan's diverse cultures.
• Developed a signature technique of "layered molding" to achieve intricate textures and lifelike expressions.

Cultural Context of Maoming County

​​Local Heritage​​

• Maoming is famed as the ​​"Hometown of the Yi Zuojiao Dance"​​ and a ​​National Intangible Cultural Heritage County​​, home to over 20 traditional crafts including stone carving, bronze instruments, and bamboo weaving .
• Dough sculpture here is classified as a ​​"critically endangered"​​ local craft, reflecting broader challenges faced by traditional arts in modern society .

​​Contemporary Challenges​​

• Declining interest among younger generations threatens the craft's survival.
• Limited commercialization opportunities compared to more mainstream crafts.

Inheritance Efforts & Contributions

​​Family Legacy​​

• Passed down the craft to his eldest daughter, maintaining a ​​family-centric transmission model​​ while occasionally accepting external apprentices.
• Emphasizes precision and patience, stating, "Even in old age, my hands remain steady—this art demands unwavering dedication" .

​​Cultural Advocacy​​

• Featured in Maoming's inaugural ​​Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition​​, raising public awareness of dough sculpture's cultural value.
• Collaborated with local schools to introduce workshops, fostering youth engagement.

Maoming's Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

​​Policy Framework​​

• Established a ​​four-tier heritage protection system​​ (national, provincial, prefectural, county) with 59 projects and 142 inheritors recognized .
• Provides annual subsidies to inheritors (e.g., ¥8,000 for provincial-level inheritors) and organizes skill assessments .

​​Innovation Initiatives​​

• Developed ​​"intangible cultural heritage tourism"​​ routes, integrating dough sculpture displays into festivals like the ​​March Meeting​​ and harvest celebrations.
• Built ​​7 township-level exhibition halls​​ and 5 cultural transmission centers to showcase crafts .

Conclusion

Zhang Fuxing embodies the resilience of traditional artisans, bridging centuries of cultural history through his art. By adapting Northern techniques to Yunnan's multicultural context and advocating for active preservation, he safeguards a tangible link to China's artistic past. His legacy reminds us that even in an era of rapid change, handmade art remains a vital expression of cultural identity.