Lines in the sand tell dramatic stories

Sand artist Wang Xin practices drawing in her studio in Taiyuan, Shanxi province. YIN HAO/CHINA DAILY

Artist performs and makes dazzling videos for leading companies

Artist Wang Xin has turned her back on traditional tools and materials such as pencils, charcoal and paintbrushes to create stunning images using an unusual medium－sand.

She uses her skills in stage performances, and has worked for some of the country's top companies.

Wang started to draw at the age of 5, but her fascination with sand began much later when, in 2008, she was studying graphic design in Ireland.

"One day, I was enchanted by a street artist who was making sand sculptures," said Wang, 31, a graduate of the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication. "I joined him to play with the sand.

"It was so interesting to watch him spread sand on the ground and model it into cute shapes such as a puppy or a bear."

Wang started using sand to produce pictures when she returned to China in 2010.

"It's better for a beginner to try his hand at sand drawing instead of sand sculpting, because drawing does not need much space and sand," she said.

Wang collected sand from riverbanks, and she used frosted glass and light tubes to produce a light table on which to work.

Initially, she used various items such as steel wire and tree branches to create pictures, before moving on to using her hands.

"It seems easy, but it requires a lot of effort to let your hands 'know' the sand and control it well," she said.

Wang realized that sand drawing could be used in stage performances after watching a video of Kseniya Simonova, who became an online sensation in 2009 by telling a story set during World War II through a series of sand drawings displayed on a screen.

Wang studied many online videos of sand drawing performances, noting the types of equipment and the techniques used to create dramatic effects.

"Both the traditional way of drawing and sand drawing require inspiration and solid basic skills, but what is lovely about sand drawing is its continuity," Wang said.

"For example, in one picture I use sand to create a girl, and the girl's eyes smoothly turn into the sun in the next picture.

"The pictures are not separate. Sand drawing is constantly in flux, and that makes for powerful storytelling."

Wang said she loves the infinite possibilities that sand drawing offers.

"An accident can become a cute improvisation. Once the woolen ball on my hat fell off onto the sand on the light table, leaving a mark resembling a dandelion. The mark was a brilliant embellishment for the picture.

"Sand is full of emotions. It can be cheerful, sad, quiet and excited. The sand painter's actions can bring out the emotions. Sometimes you blow the sand gently, and the picture shows a different emotion."

In 2011, Wang set up a sand drawing studio, and she promoted her business by giving a USB drive containing examples of her work to wedding planners and advertising agencies.

She performed at a friend's wedding banquet, and the audience was amazed by the way she manipulated the sand.

Friends introduced Wang to others, and gradually she made her name. She has appeared at hundreds of events ranging from banquets to news conferences, and has performed and made videos for leading companies such as the Dalian Wanda Group and China Mobile.

"When I am given a task, I make sketches and select music that suits the content," Wang said. "The design process usually takes more than a week, and once it is finalized I practice for two days before presenting the piece on stage."

Wang has contacted sand artists and visited studios across the country to improve her skills, exchange ideas and learn from their experience.

Sand drawing is not very well known, and Wang hopes to raise its profile by taking part in charitable activities.

"Inspiring more people through this art form will be a major focus of my work in the future," she said.

Sun Li contributed to this story.