Xue Zinyu shows off some of her inspiring dough modeling work. [Photo/Hohhot Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center]

By kneading and painting the glutinous rice dough, Xue Zinyu, an inheritor of the Togtoh dough modeling technique – living and working in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – offers her life-affirming outlook to others through her art.

Dough modeling is a traditional folk artform originating in North China's Shanxi province.

It uses polished glutinous rice dough, painted with different colors, which is then shaped by hand as well as with some simple tools. The artform has been listed as part of Inner Mongolia's traditional cultural heritage since 2015.

A selection of dough modeling artwork made by Xue. [Photo/Hohhot Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center]

Intricate figures showcase the high skills in use in the artwork fashioned by Xue. [Photo/Hohhot Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center]