Qixuan Lim crafts a universe where everyday food is reimagined as tiny, offbeat sculptures that are both unsettling and irresistibly charming. Working with polymer clay and resin, she transforms sweets, snacks, and beverages into uncanny characters — some with sleepy eyes, others with unexpected teeth. These miniature forms flirt with contradictions: they’re grotesque but endearing, whimsical yet bizarre. With a style that feels born from a fever dream and a dollhouse, Lim’s creations challenge how we perceive cuteness and creepiness, often fusing the two into something delightfully strange.
Her approach is rooted in a deep fascination with character and expression. Lim doesn’t just sculpt objects; she gives them emotional undertones, subtle narratives, and often, a peculiar sense of melancholy. A mochi bun might look haunted, a bowl of noodles could seem mid-sigh. These tiny sculptures feel as though they’ve sprung from another realm, one where comfort food has a soul — and sometimes a scowl. Her attention to texture, color, and imperfection makes each piece feel alive in its own slightly distorted way.
There’s something compelling about how Lim’s work taps into both nostalgia and unease. The figures seem familiar yet off-kilter, like a childhood memory that’s taken a surreal turn. In this fusion of adorable and eerie, she creates more than just collectible pieces — she builds an emotional experience in miniature. By transforming the ordinary into something strangely sentient, Lim reminds us that even the smallest things can hold unsettling beauty and unexpected personality.
In my sculptural works, I create tension between two worlds – the real and the imagined. My aesthetic sensibilities have been shaped by my love for fantasy stories, old curiosities, time-travel, and my yearning for worlds natural and made-believe.
Qixuan Lim
More info: Website, Instagram (h/t: Booooooom & Vice Creators).
