The magic of ice

A secondary student carves an ice dolphin at Cityplaza yesterday. She was part of a group of seven secondary students who earned high praise from ice sculptor Suen Wanjie after only two days of instruction.

'They're ready to graduate,' he said. 'We didn't have time to make it perfect, but their sculptures are better than my first sculpture,' said Mr Suen after handing diplomas to the students, who carved out ice sculptures of penguins, butterflies, dolphins and plums.

The students demonstrated their new-found skills for a curious mall audience at the atrium of Cityplaza after the two-day 'apprenticeship' under the master from Harbin , who has carved the exhibits for the two-month Harbin Ice Lantern Festival at the mall.