Malaysian wins first prize at Mongolia’s ice sculpting event, beating 27 artists

Yong with his winning design at the Mazaalai International Ice Sculpting Competition in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Photos: John Yong Chong Ming

He suffered frostbite on his ears, but that didn't stop award-winning ice and snow sculptor John Yong Chong Ming from completing his artwork, which won him the first prize at the Mazaalai International Ice Sculpting Competition in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, held from Jan 23-26.

Yong's design of a rhinoceros beetle wowed judges, beating 27 artists from countries like the United States, Russia, China and Mongolia. He walked away with a prize money of RM10,400 ($8mil Mongolian tugrik).

This marks the first time Yong has clinched the top prize at an international competition, despite having over 35 years of experience as a chef artist.

"When they announced Malaysia (as the winner), I cried. I never expected this win, especially having competed with such talented artists from around the world. I felt intimidated by the Mongolian sculptors, who have the advantage of practising with ice in their cold climate.

"I sculpted my winning design with just one chainsaw, and I didn't think I could win. I did my best, and I am so pleased that I have made our country proud," said Yong, 61, during a phone interview from his home in Taman Kosas, Ampang, Selangor.

'Ice sculpting is unique because the design changes every minute as it melts,' says Yong.

The veteran artist's winning piece, carved out of an ice block measuring two meters in height and width, was completed within three and a half days. He worked on it for eight hours each day, with the assistance of an arts graduate from Ulaanbaatar.

The father of three sculpted a detailed rhinoceros beetle standing on a sunflower, its horns gracefully cradling the sun. Yong believes he won the grand prize because his unique design stood out among sculptures of horses, a warrior with a spear, and abstract artwork.

"I was drawn to the visual complexity of the insect. The challenge was balancing the sculpture – starting from a small base and building upward while carefully studying gravity and weight distribution to keep it from falling.

"The judges were drawn to the intricate details of my work, especially the fragile bottom of the beetle standing on the sunflower. I was one of the few artists who focused on a 3D design," said Yong, whose last position was chief kitchen artist at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.

Yong was inspired by the rhinoceros beetle – which plays a vital role in the ecosystem – for his award-winning sculpture.

Currently a freelance ice sculptor, Yong also serves as a guest lecturer in 3D sculpting at a college in KL.

His eldest daughter, Elizabeth Yong-li, 22, has followed in his footsteps and has won prizes in several international ice sculpting competitions.

Yong has had a passion for carving since childhood. He developed his skills while working in the hotel industry, having trained under many talented kitchen artists.

Among his most memorable experiences was working with Japan's renowned Junichi Nakamura, one of the world's finest ice-sculpting champions, in Berlin in the early 2000s.

Ice sculpting is not without its challenges, Yong admits.

"There are many steps to creating a good sculpture. First, I assess the ice's thickness and clarity – any cracks, and I will request a new block. While some artists use printed templates, I prefer drawing squares on the block to guide the proportions. Then, I carefully cut the ice with a chainsaw, constantly adjusting the design, as the ice can easily crack and shift."

Despite the hard work and complexity, Yong remains dedicated to his craft.

"It's unique because it changes every minute as it melts. With or without lighting, the effect is completely different. The best part is, even after it melts, you can still redesign the sculpture."

Elizabeth (left) shares the same passion for ice sculpting like her father.

Besides ice, Yong has worked on sculpting with different materials like butter, marzipan, wood and sand. The former student from SMK (L) Methodist Sentul, KL quipped: "I wasn't good in studies, but thankfully God has given me the ability to work with my hands."

Among Yong's many career milestones, two achievements that stand out are the Prime Minister’s Golden Hand Trophy and the Most Outstanding Artist award he won at Culinaire Malaysia in 1993.

In 2002, Yong led a team of six in presenting the Classical Dining Table, the biggest ice-carving sculpture recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records. It took eight hours for them to finish the work.

Over the last 30 years, he has also participated in several ice and snow competitions in many countries like China, Russia, the United States and Slovakia.

In 2023, he walked away with the third prize at the 3rd International Ice Festival Madrid in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid.

Next year will also be an exciting one for Yong, as he has been chosen to represent Malaysia at the World Ice Carving Championship that will be held during the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.