Dazzling creations by Chinese women:

When paperwork is a form of art

Ruwini Jayawardana in Beijing

It was a sight to behold. The deft fingers of the women worked like lightening, cutting and shaping the ‘soft as silk’ paper seemingly guided by a supernatural power as they worked endless hours trying to match every detail of a creation which they had formed in their mind.

Shaping the delicate craft. Pictures courtesy: www.chinaartworld.com.cn, iartaday.files.wordpress.com and jupisart.com

Gradually they look up with content and satisfaction, work done for the day, as the finely cut pieces pieced together peek out from the three-dimensional creation before the admiring eyes of customers.

This is basically part and parcel of the lives of the craftswomen in many parts of China. Though they work long hours, battling with the scissors and knives, it is only their creations which get the spotlight as customers pause to gasp in wonder.

“The customer’s satisfaction is our main concern. As long as our creations are appreciated and given due respect we are happy. It is easy to learn about cutting paper but very difficult to master it. The scissors should be held upright in a certain manner for the shape to come out right,” a vendor in a souvenir shop by the streets of Beijing said.

Paper cutting is a traditional art form in China. It is perhaps the most popular and widespread Chinese folk art because whenever you stroll among the boutiques scattered along the pavements, tread the pebbled paths up the rivers or lakes in the eastern part of the land or trek along the remote villages, you will not fail to be dazzled by the charms of this fascinating art form which had been preserved for generations.

This exquisite art form was born in the outskirts of the Weixian country, a reputed cultural city on the central plains and the Fodhan, an industrial town in Southern China. It is generally accepted that Chinese paper-cutting began at the time of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty more than 1,500 years ago.

It is believed that the idea originated from the golden and silver foil cuttings of flowers and butterflies that women pasted onto their hair at temples. Years later these glittering hair décor items were stuck on windows and doors for an aura of festivity when days of merry making were within sight.

Exotic beauty by artist Ye Kai Yuan	Dragons	Colourful butterflies and flowers

Those who encounter the art from for the first time cannot help but wonder how each feature bears such true to life expressions or gestures. Each creation speaks a thousand words as patterns of chrysanthemum display curling petals, flocks of birds show off their tiny feathers or an exotic beauty’s attraction is enhanced by her perfectly chiselled features. Though similar visions are aroused from paintings, paper-cuts possess a striking aura about them which are drawn out of months of painstaking hard work with the scissor and knives.

Scissors are the main tool of the paper-cut technique. Once a separate pair is set aside for paper-cutting it is believed to possess exceptional powers so that extraordinary paper-cuts will flow out of the creator’s hands. Engraving knives too are used to shape out the edges of the work which sets off a clear, finished product for display.

Most of the paper-cut artists are woman and the art form became so important at a time that even the royal women were judged by the skills they displayed. The themes of the creations were usually drawn from daily activities to landscapes and myths. It is said that familiarity with the subject results in better creations.

“Flexibility is also a main requirement but one needs to have a lot of patience as haste could result in damage to the creation. Works are done using single coloured paper as well as in a variety of shades,” a Chinese woman noted adding that the creations are a symbol of prosperity, health or good harvest.

“The number eight lantern is one exceptionally lucky cutting technique as ‘eight’ sounds similar to the Mandarin term used for ‘prosper’,” she explained displaying a variety of coloured paper lanterns formed out of smooth paper.

This delicate work had now become an emblem of China’s world of art and craft. Vibrant shades of green, red and light blue brighten up surroundings which are adorned with a Chinese paper-cut creation. Such works are found at merry events like weddings and family functions while the more serious black and brown are reserved for funerals.

Even today many people vie to decorate their walls, windows and doors with these enchanting creations which exude the essence of life out of the clever hands of craftswomen from all areas of China.