The History of Sugar Art and a Spotlight on the Sugar Artist of the Century!

Are you familiar with the history of sugar art?

Here are a a few interesting facts to peak your curiosity:

~ Food historians believe sugar art dates back to 4,000 B.C. in Papua New Guinea.

~ In China, the Ming dynasty lasted from the 1300s to the 1600s and during that time, the Chinese used an art technique known as sugar painting. The animals or figures that were created were used for religious purposes. Since that time, skilled artists have continued and perfected this tradition and the sugar paintings can be found in various parts of China.

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~ Sugar was important to the economy of the Ottoman Empire as a valuable trading commodity. The empire reached its zenith in the 16th and 17th centuries, under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. There is information which indicates sugar art, i.e. various figurines made from sugar, were used at various celebrations and festivals.

~ The reign of the medieval European monarchs lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. As a result of the Crusades, sugar made its way into western Europe by the 11th century. During the medieval period, circa the 15th or 16th century, the European nobles or aristocrats made a show of their wealth by having their chefs create food sculptures crafted from sugar.

~ During the 17th century, Catholic friars who were sent as missionaries to Mexico evidently brought sugar with them. There were Mexicans who had very little money but wanted to participate in Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. The friars taught them how to create decorations using sugar. Thus sugar art in Mexico was born!

♦ From 4000 B.C. ... Fast Forward to the 20th Century

Are you familiar with the artistic creations of Michelle Wibowo?

Michelle Wibowo is an award-winning sugar artist who creates priceless, inimitable works of art that are much too beautiful to eat.

She created Van Gogh's 'Portrait of Dr. Gatchet' using jelly beans.

She used marshmallows and sprinkles to recreate Michaelangelo's masterpiece on the Sistine Chapel, 'The Creation of Adam'.

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She won a Gold Award at ICHF Cake International for her creation of Gollum in sugar art form. You know Gollum? The character from Tolkien's “The Lord of the Rings”. The one who says “My precious!”.

Ms. Mibowo was asked to make a birthday cake for a little girl who got to pick what she wanted her cake to be. The little girl wanted a recreation of the Yellow Brick Road and the characters from the Wizard of Oz.

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Ms. Wibowo's artwork is unbelievable.

Although to describe her work as "unbelievable" is an understatement. However, it's extremely difficult to come up with an accurate word or phrase to help you visualize her finished works.

I could say indescribably unbelievable masterpieces!

That's still inadequate. Once you've seen one or more of her completed works of art, you'll think that it deserves much much much much much much more commendation. Also, like me, you won't want to eat it. You'll likely keep staring at it and thinking: Is that really edible?!

I don't think it's a stretch at all to describe her as the Sugar Artist of the Century. Do you?

Official Website

On Twitter: @michellesugart

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References:

Featured Image Credit: Mexican Sugar Skulls, Wikimedia Commons

Ekinci, Ekrem B. “White Gold: The Story of Sugar.” Daily Sabah, 5 Oct. 2017, www.dailysabah.com/feature/2017/10/06/white-gold-the-story-of-sugar.

Cheung, Andrew. “The Ancient Art of Sugar Painting.” The Daily China, 17 Feb. 2019, www.thedailychina.org/the-ancient-art-of-sugar-painting/.

Kenyon, Chelsie. “All About Sugar Skulls: A Dia De Los Muertos Tradition.” The Spruce Eats, 19 May 2019, www.thespruceeats.com/sugar-skull-history-2342805.

"FEATURED ARTIST: MICHELLE WIBOWO." MFS - The Many Faces of Art and Design. N.p., 16 Oct. 2012. Web. 10 May 2017.

"Artist Profile: Michelle Wibowo, Michelle Sugar Art Ltd." InsideSUSSEX. Sideways Media Ltd., 26 May 2016. Web. 10 May 2017. "Michelle Wibowo, founder of Michelle Sugar Art Ltd, creates award-winning sugar and cake sculptures with incredible precision and realism."

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