The beauty of paper-cut art

Speaking of the formal beauty of paper-cut art, it should be traced back to the influence of the portrait art of the Han Dynasty. Although one is the art of carving and the other is the art of cutting, from the analysis of the regular and concise image of paper-cut art, paper-cut art clearly has the shadow of Han portrait art, and inherits the generosity and beauty of Han culture. Art style. The biggest characteristics of paper-cutting art are symbolic meanings and simple and distinctive shapes. It often gives symbolic meaning to the shape through three methods: homophony, allegory, and metaphor. The content of paper-cut art is very rich and closely related to life.

Paper-cut work "Lotus Born Takako"

Carps leap over the dragon gate, mandarin ducks play in the water, many children bring good fortune, praying for blessings and auspiciousness, myths and legends. There are also many that use homophones, such as chicken (auspicious), chime (celebration), fish (surplus), lotus (connected), sheng (raw), cinnamon (noble), seed (child), etc., which are all expressed in paper-cutting. It is a yearning for life, happiness and the future of the working people, and a praise for a better life. During major festivals, weddings, etc., the art of paper-cutting plays an important decorative role. The art of paper-cutting conveys the most simple and innocent love of workers.

In terms of materials and tools, the art of paper cutting is simple. A piece of paper, a pair of scissors or a carving knife is all that is needed. From a technical point of view, paper-cutting actually means cutting out and carving out the paper to make it present the desired image. As a folk art, paper-cutting has a strong regional style. The style of Shaanxi window grilles is rough and bold, simple and concise, and the paper-cutting in Yuxian, Hebei and Guangling, Shanxi is dyed with rich colors, showing beauty and gorgeousness. The paper-cutting in Nanjing, Jiangsu is honest and honest, with cleverness in its roughness, the paper-cutting in Yixing is gorgeous and neat, and the paper-cutting in Nantong is beautiful and exquisite. Paper-cutting in Foshan, Guangdong is rich in color, varied in technique, and highly decorative. Shandong Gaomi paper-cutting is delicate and meticulous. Although the styles of folk paper-cutting are different in different regions, their yearning and hope for a better life are the same, and they are all deeply hidden in the hollow carvings of the blades.

Author Cao Xia, Department of Fine Arts, Qilu Normal Academy of Fine Arts