Sugar Figure Blower Ma Qingwang: Creating Splendor Between Blowing and Pinching

On May 2, Ma Qingwang was making a sugar figure work.

A mouse stealing oil, a katydid and a pomegranate, a large lobster... Under Ma Qingwang's breath and skillful hands, every piece is remarkably lifelike. Ma Qingwang, 48 this year, is a resident of Xixinzhuang Village, Gaocheng District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei. Born into a family of sugar figure blowers, he has loved the art of sugar figure blowing since childhood. Building on his family's inherited skills, Ma Qingwang also studied under renowned local masters, continuously exploring and integrating the folk art of sugar figure blowing, and formed his own unique style. He has been awarded titles including "Representative Inheritor of Hebei Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Project" and "Hebei Folk Arts and Crafts Master." Speaking of his future plans, Ma Qingwang is full of confidence: "I will continue to carry forward the art of sugar figure blowing and let more people know about it." Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xiao

On May 2, Ma Qingwang was making a sugar figure work.

A mouse stealing oil, a katydid and a pomegranate, a large lobster... Under Ma Qingwang's breath and skillful hands, every piece is remarkably lifelike. Ma Qingwang, 48 this year, is a resident of Xixinzhuang Village, Gaocheng District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei. Born into a family of sugar figure blowers, he has loved the art of sugar figure blowing since childhood. Building on his family's inherited skills, Ma Qingwang also studied under renowned local masters, continuously exploring and integrating the folk art of sugar figure blowing, and formed his own unique style. He has been awarded titles including "Representative Inheritor of Hebei Province Intangible Cultural Heritage Project" and "Hebei Folk Arts and Crafts Master." Speaking of his future plans, Ma Qingwang is full of confidence: "I will continue to carry forward the art of sugar figure blowing and let more people know about it." Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Xiao