Folk art in the Ton

Sugar Painting

The sugar painting is just paintings made of sugar, which can not only be eaten but also appreciated.

The history of this handicraft, with the local characters of Sichuan province, is more than 400 years. It is said that the sugar painting originated from the Sugar Prime Minister of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which are actually various figures made of sugar. As the figures look like the officials at court, they are called the Sugar Prime Minister. Later, the folk artists of Sichuan integrated the sculpture technique of paper-cutting and shadow play with each other. They paint the shadow play with the sugar solution in the small copper spoon instead of moulds. And the technique gradually develops into the sugar painting art today.

Although the number of sugar painters has decreased, due to its unique charm, a certain number of artists are making sustained efforts to preserve it by offering classes, holding relevant activities such as sugar painting contests and applying for the National Intangible Cultural Heritage.