Kirkland Artist Transforms Winter Landscape with Cultural Snow Sculptures
In the quiet Montreal suburb of Kirkland, artist Shufeng Zhang has turned his front yard into a seasonal masterpiece that stops passersby in their tracks. For six consecutive winters, Zhang has created elaborate snow sculptures that celebrate his Chinese heritage, with this year's centerpiece being a magnificent life-size horse commemorating the Lunar New Year.
A Pandemic Hobby That Became a Community Tradition
What began as a pandemic-era pastime has evolved into an annual tradition that brings warmth and wonder to Zhang's neighborhood. "I hoped I could bring some warmth to my community, to my neighbours and to myself," Zhang explained from his home art studio, which showcases dozens of his intricate paintings alongside his winter creations.
The artist, who studied fine arts in China before moving to Canada, discovered snow as his medium only after his relocation. Each winter, he dedicates himself to creating at least one sculpture representing the Chinese zodiac animal of the year. This week's Lunar New Year celebration marks the arrival of the Year of the Horse, which Zhang has captured in stunning detail.
"My inspiration always comes from Chinese culture," Zhang emphasized, noting that past sculptures have included Chinese generals, deities, and various symbolic animals including dragons, snakes, rabbits, and phoenixes.Technical Challenge Meets Cultural Expression
This year's horse sculpture presented both technical and artistic challenges that Zhang embraced wholeheartedly. "It challenged me technically, but more importantly, it allowed me to capture a sense of spirit and momentum," he reflected. "For me, it represents strength, hope and the energy of a new year."
The creation process is meticulous and deliberate. Zhang begins by constructing a solid block of snow reinforced with wooden planks, which he allows to settle for at least 48 hours before beginning his work. He then draws careful guidelines to maintain proper proportions before carving with specialized tools.
"After I make the block, I draw guidelines to keep the shape, to keep the proportion," Zhang described. "Then I will carve it with a bigger shovel first, remove the bigger part and then carve it with some carving knives, with some small tools. And then I will smooth it."
Community Impact and Recognition
Zhang's snow sculptures have become a beloved community attraction, drawing visitors from across the region. His detailed progress updates on social media platforms attract hundreds of followers, many of whom make annual pilgrimages to his Andre-Brunet Street home.
"A lot of people do come here and see the snow sculptures, and they are all excited," Zhang observed. "They say 'thank you' to me." Some neighbors have even offered snow from their own yards to support his artistic endeavors, while others say the sculptures provide something beautiful to anticipate during Montreal's notoriously harsh winters.
The Town of Kirkland has officially recognized Zhang's talent, inviting him to create sculptures for local parks and community events. Mike Klaiman, Kirkland's director of recreation and library services, explained that Zhang contributed sculptures to Meades Park for the town's winter carnival in both 2023 and 2024.
"We thought this was a good opportunity to have a local resident with an extreme talent for doing this," Klaiman said. "He did that over a couple of weeks' time, so people were able to see him actually creating it. The talent is crazy. The sculptures are very impressive, to say the least."
From Winter Art to Full-Time Teaching
The attention generated by Zhang's snow sculptures has helped transform his artistic passion into a sustainable career. He now operates a studio from his home where he teaches various art forms to students of all ages.
"I run a studio in my house," Zhang explained. "I offer classes for kids, for teens, for adults ... Chinese painting, oil painting, drawing and digital art, including portfolio prep for students to apply to university."
While studying digital arts at the Pearson Electrotechnology Centre, Zhang continues to balance his educational pursuits with his teaching responsibilities and winter sculpting tradition.
The Ephemeral Nature of Snow Art
When questioned about why he invests so much time and effort into creations that will inevitably melt away, Zhang offers a philosophical perspective that resonates with his artistic vision.
"I think although the snow sculpture is temporary, the beauty, the experience, the feeling will stay with us," he reflected. "The snow melts, but the memory doesn't."
As Zhang continues his winter tradition, with plans already emerging for additional sculptures including a Pegasus interpretation, his work stands as a testament to the power of cultural expression and community connection through art. His snow sculptures serve as temporary monuments to Chinese heritage that bring warmth, wonder, and cultural celebration to the cold Quebec winter landscape.
