Key Highlights
- A cake artist has created a six-feet-tall edible replica of Michael Jackson for the Cake International show.
- The creation, inspired by Jackson’s “Thriller” era, took six weeks to complete and was unveiled on Halloween 2023.
- Emma Jayne Morris, the cake artist, has previously created life-size figures such as King in 2023 and Queen Elizabeth I in 2024.
- The replica includes intricate details from Jackson’s “Thriller” look, including his curls and shoes.
A Cake Artist’s Tribute to Michael Jackson
In a unique celebration of Halloween, a cake artist has brought the iconic image of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” era to life through an edible creation that stands six feet tall. Emma Jayne Morris, 55, from South Wales, spent six weeks meticulously crafting this tribute for the Cake International show in Birmingham.
The inspiration behind the project was clear and fitting, as the first day of the exhibition fell on Halloween. Speaking about her motivation, Morris stated, “We’ve all grown up with the King of Pop and I thought it was just a lovely thing to do, and especially falling on Halloween.”
Technical Aspects and Challenges
The intricacy of the creation is evident in its construction. The head, which took a week to complete, features Rice Krispies, modelling chocolate, and sugar paste. According to Morris, “The head is the most important part because you’ve got to get the likeness of the person.
It may not be 100% on but the likeness is there with it, and then when you put it on the body, with the clothing, the red and everything else that goes with it, it just adds to the full likeness of him.”
The journey from Aberdare to Birmingham posed logistical challenges. The cake had to be carefully transported in a large van lying down because even though it had an armature framework, it wouldn’t withstand rocking during travel. Despite these efforts, Morris mentioned that “It got here really, really well. I just had a little bit of damage on the back of the lapel, but other than that he got here perfectly.”
Context and Background
Morris’s background in cake artistry began out of necessity when her husband Owain complained about her buying too many cakes for their children. She initially turned to making them herself as a way to cut costs, but quickly found joy and artistic expression in the process. Her journey has taken her from local baking to an international stage where she teaches others around the world.
“I just loved it, learning about the mediums, learning about what sugar could do, what chocolate could do,” Morris said. “You wouldn’t think just from making a cake that your career would go off in that direction. It’s crazy.”
The Impact and Future of Cake Artistry
At the Cake International show, which runs until Sunday at the NEC Birmingham, visitors have been enthralled by Morris’s creation. “There’s a lot of work and effort and planning that goes into every feature that we do,” she explained. “I just took my time with it – the head is the most important part because you’ve got to get the likeness of the person.”
Morris plans to take her life-size Jackson back to Wales after the show, continuing to share her passion for cake artistry and capturing the enduring legacy of Michael Jackson through edible art.
