Judy Zhou (Portland) creates dough sculpture and papercuts, which she learned how to make from her grandmother in China. Zhou’s grandmother also taught her the intricate art of Chinese paper cutting. Zhou continues to practice these traditional arts to honor the memories of her mother and grandmother.
Bio
Judy Zhou was born in Harbìn, China. When Zhou was 13 years old, her grandmother started to teach her how to craft traditional dough figurines, a family tradition that Zhou’s mother also practiced. Judy Zhou keeps this craft alive to honor their memories. Dough art is a Chinese folk art form that is hundreds of years old but no longer commonly practiced. The process begins with making dough out of wheat and glutinous rice flour, salt, water, and alum. Zhou separates the dough into different quantities; she tints each with food or icing colors. Zhou uses different colored dough pieces to sculpts various parts of her figures, such as red for the lips and black for eyes. Her sculptures are intricately detailed and feature the finest features of animals, people, plants, and landscapes. She air-dries the completed pieces, often placing the most fragile under glass domes to protect and display them. Zhou also practices the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting, another centuries-old craft. Using scissors and carving tools, she cuts delicate paper into elaborate designs, which she mounts on a contrasting board or paper. Judy Zhou is also a traditional dancer. While still in China, she learned the Tia Chi Fan Dance, which she now teaches at the public library and other places. She enjoys sharing her many talents with American audiences.
