The Illustrated Art of Paper-Cutting

This book offers a systematic and panoramic overview of the 2,000-year history of Chinese paper-cutting, organised into three comprehensive sections: Origins and Evolution, Regional Variations, and Contemporary Innovations. This book offers a systematic and panoramic overview of the 2,000-year history of Chinese paper-cutting, organised into three comprehensive sections: Origins and Evolution, Regional Variations, and Contemporary Innovations. The Illustrated Art of Paper-Cutting traces the art form’s deep roots, linking it to the invention of paper and scissors, as well as its aesthetic origins in ancient rock carvings, painted pottery, bronze motifs, and Han dynasty stone reliefs. It unravels the cultural philosophy of ‘profound emotions expressed on thin paper,’ while detailing the evolving folkloric functions, design principles, and aesthetic developments from the Han, Tang, and Song dynasties through the Ming, Qing, and modern eras. Finally, it presents case studies of over ten contemporary artists, such as Lin Ximing and Lü Shengzhong, analyzing how paper-cutting is being revitalised in public art, cultural design, and everyday aesthetics. Demonstrating how this ancient craft can be seamlessly integrated into modern life, the book inspires readers to cut out their own imaginative expressions for today’s world.