By Merle Exit
At first glance the glass-encased figurine appears to be a hand-painted ceramic doll.
A magnifying glass, rather than show what the small sculpture really is, simply reveals its intricate detail.
Master Ye Xun finally tells you his work consists of nothing more than flour, water and added color.
Ye Xun is a flour figurine sculptor, a rare artist using a rarely used medium.
Born in August 1956 in Zhejian, Hang Zhou Province, China, he was fortunate enough to have the talent passed down from his grandfather, Master Lang Shao An, also known as “Dough Figure Lang.”
During the next 10 years, another famous flour figurine artist, Master Zhao Kou Ming, with a similar nickname, was Ye's mentor, helping him perfect his skills.
At age 32, Ye was honored with the title, “Famous Flour Doll Artist,” the youngest of his ilk.
Ye no longer lives in China – he now calls Woodhaven home. Those who came out for the Woodhaven Street Fair last Sunday were able to see the artist at his delicate work.
Sculpting a figurine out of flour is one thing, but doing an entire scenario is something else again. Ye has sculpted famous mythological characters of Chinese history and legends, like the monkey god, characters from “Journey to the West,” the “8 Immortals,” and the goddess of mercy.
Ye Xun is most proud of his 1986 creation, “Southern Sung Han City.” Composed of no fewer than 1,500 figurines, the project, which he said took him about a year to complete, won the National Craftsmen Award Competition in China.
Many of Ye's figurines are for sale at the New China Town Market, 79-16 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven.
The master's future plans?
He wants to teach the unusual art form.