Paper-cuttings are one of China's
most popular forms of visual art. Paper and
scissors are the usual materials utilized, but
sometimes an engraving knife is used. Paper
cuttings have been a traditional art form that
can be traced back to the 6th century; it only
became apparent a few centuries after.
This art form has a long history. Its uses influenced
decorative patterns, leather silhouettes, printed
cloths, embroideries and paintings. Folk paper-cuttings
as an art, imitates nature's forms by way of
making characters, symbols, and other ways to
entail nature out of the beautiful paper-cutting
patterns.
Paper-cuttings are all hand-made. There are
two common practices in making paper-cuttings:
the scissor cutting and knife cutting techniques.
A pair of scissors is used in the scissor cutting
technique. The artist cuts the motif with sharp,
pointed scissors to shape the desired pattern.
Knife cuttings, on the other hand is a method
where the artist puts several layers of paper
on a relatively soft foundation consisting of
a mixture of tallow and ashes. After which,
the artist holds a sharp knife vertically cutting
the motif into the paper by following a pattern.
For large size modern style paper-cuttings,
which are usually more complicated than traditional
style, the knife cutting technique is the main
stream.
In Chinese folk culture, the art of paper-cuttings
occupies a significant amount of time allotment
in various folk activities. As early as the
Southern Song dynasty, professional paper-cutting
craftsmen have emerged. It was once a handicraft
that every native girl masters. Paper-cut craftsmanship
was often used to judge good brides-to-be. Now,
we have contemporary artists and artisans to
show you the wonder of the paper-cut through
their artworks in traditional and modern style.
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