In the heart of Yulin, nestled in northwest China\u2019s Shaanxi Province, lives fifth-generation papercutting artist Cao Hongxia. Her journey with papercutting began almost before she could walk. “I often get asked when I started papercutting, and my answer is: ‘Maybe when I was in my mom\u2019s womb,'” she joked.
As a child, Cao was captivated by the intricate designs her family crafted under the soft glow of a kerosene lamp. At just three years old, her curiosity led her to tear a piece from a Spring Festival couplet to create a paper flower. While her mother reprimanded her for the mischief, she also recognized Cao\u2019s budding talent. From that moment, she began teaching her daughter the delicate techniques of papercutting.
Cao draws deep inspiration from the rich culture of northern Shaanxi. Her works breathe life into local folk songs, customs, and proverbs, beautifully capturing the essence of the region. “To carry forward folk art, we need to integrate it into our families and communities,” she emphasized.
Her artistry has garnered international recognition. In 2014, when Michelle Obama visited Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, Cao crafted multicolored papercut portraits for the then-U.S. first lady and her family.
Believing firmly in the future of intangible cultural heritage, Cao sees the engagement of younger generations as essential. To her, papercutting is more than an art form; it\u2019s a cultural legacy that must be preserved and passed down. “Papercutting is not just an artistic expression but a cultural legacy,” she said.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
