Key Highlights
- Cake artist Emma Jayne Morris creates a life-size replica of Michael Jackson for the Thriller music video look at the Cake International show in Birmingham.
- The piece took six weeks to create and was unveiled on Halloween, fitting the exhibition’s theme perfectly.
- Emma Jayne has previously created other life-size cake figures such as Queen Elizabeth I and King Pop himself from his 2023 coronation year.
- The creation is made of Rice Krispies, modelling chocolate, sugar paste, and an intricate armature to support the structure.
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Look Recreated in Cake Art for Halloween
Cake artist Emma Jayne Morris has taken the baking world by storm once again with a stunning life-size replica of Michael Jackson from his iconic “Thriller” music video, creating quite a buzz at the Cake International show in Birmingham NEC on Halloween. This elaborate creation showcases the dedication and artistry behind cake sculpting.
Emma Jayne Morris, 55, from South Wales, has spent six weeks meticulously crafting this intricate piece, which faithfully recreates Jackson’s signature look right down to his shoes. The piece is part of a larger exhibition that aims to highlight some of the most impressive and innovative works in the baking industry.
Artistic Dedication and Effort
“It has an international appeal as well – most people that have walked up to us today have said, ‘oh, we love him’. It was a no brainer,” says Emma Jayne, explaining her decision to honor the late pop icon. “We’ve all grown up with the King of Pop and I thought it was just a lovely thing to do, especially falling on Halloween. The first day of the show is Halloween, and we’ve chosen the Thriller era, so everything just seemed to fit in.”
The piece stands as an impressive testament to Morris’s skills, having traveled from her studio in Aberdare to Birmingham for the exhibition. Her husband Owain joined her as a zombie, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the show. “There’s a lot of work and effort and planning that goes into every feature that we do,” Emma Jayne adds, emphasizing the attention to detail required for such intricate creations.
The Creation Process
Emma Jayne’s process began with extensive research and planning before she meticulously crafted the piece. “The head is the most important part because you’ve got to get the likeness of the person,” she explains, noting that it took her a week to complete his head using Rice Krispies, modelling chocolate, and sugar paste. The body required a framework or armature to support its structure, making the journey from Aberdare to Birmingham particularly challenging.
“We had to hire a big van with a tail lift, and it travelled on its back lying down because even though it’s got an armature – a framework in it – it wouldn’t take the rocking to get here,” she adds. Despite these challenges, Emma Jayne is pleased that her creation arrived at the exhibition without any major damage. “It made it to the show in one piece after six weeks of work from research and planning to final finish.”
Background and Journey
Morris’s journey into cake art began when her husband Owain complained about her buying too many cakes for their children around 14 years ago. “I said fine, I’ll make one myself,” she recalls. “And for me, it was art using a different medium – that’s all it was from the first cake that I made.” Since then, Emma Jayne has gained recognition not only in her local community but also internationally.
“You wouldn’t think just from making a cake that your career would go off in that direction. It’s crazy,” she reflects on how her work has taken her around the world to teach others about the art of cake sculpting. “Cake International helped introduce me to people from all over the world who asked me to teach, so I ended up travelling the globe passing on my expertise.”
While Emma Jayne typically does not bring her large creations home with her, she has made an exception for this King of Pop replica, which will return to Wales with her after the show. The exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham runs until Sunday, giving visitors a chance to see the incredible work firsthand.
The piece not only pays homage to Michael Jackson’s legendary music but also serves as a testament to the creativity and dedication required in cake artistry. As visitors continue to marvel at Morris’s creation, it stands as a highlight of the Cake International show, drawing attention from both fans of the pop icon and enthusiasts of baking arts.
