A show of Sun Pu-fei's Chinese paper cuttings which opened in December at Taipei's Provincial Museum attracted the attention of many who are interested in traditional Chinese folk arts. In today's modern and fast-paced, industrialized society, many people are still able to appreciate the fine, delicate workmanship of paper cuttings.
Paper cutting was once a folk art which competed for popularity with embroidery. Women throughout the Chinese countryside could cut paper into all kinds of intricate pictures. Paper cuttings, at that time, were used like woodblock prints and at all celebrations were hung on walls and in windows, a necessary part of every festival. Designs included auspicious words, flowers, birds, and animals. There were also more complicated pictures such as "Longevity Celebrations in Fairyland", "The Magic Unicorn Delivers an Infant", and "The Eight Immortals Offer Gifts of Immortality".
Sun Pu-fei taught herself the art of paper cutting more than 10 years ago when she went with her husband to live in the Middle East where he had been posted on assignment. At that time, a museum in the town where they were living held a show of mainland Chinese paper cuttings, and the curator invited Sun to view it. She was impressed with the show, and remarked to the curator that paper cutting was a traditional Chinese handicraft, not something invented by the Communists. Asked if she could do it, Sun Pu-fei recalled how she had studied paper cutting as a student, and responded, "Yes. A little." At that time, she made up her mind to study paper cutting thoroughly.
She began to practice in earnest, starting with simple characters, birds, and animals. Later she asked friends in Taiwan to send her art books. In this way she taught herself the art of paper cutting and eventually held several exhibitions of her work. Before she returned to the Republic of China, all her works were bought. In the process, she made many friends in the Middle East, her paper cutting promoting Chinese foreign relations.
After returning home, she continued her hobby, and her standards improved further. She has even made her own innovations. Whereas most traditional paper cuttings are flat, hers have a three dimensional effect. Sun explained her secret. "You don't want to mount a work entirely flat, some areas should be concave and others convex. In this way, the fur of a cat really appears furry and there is a feeling of layers." She still uses traditional paper cutting techniques and 99 percent of her work is done with scissors. Only with the most delicate parts does she use a craft knife.
Encouraging others to take up the art, she said: "Whether you are a housewife, professional woman or student, in your spare time pick up some scrap paper and practice paper cutting. Not only does this help to cultivate patience and caution and increase your enjoyment of life, at the same time, maybe without realizing it, you are helping to preserve and develop traditional arts."
Paper Cutting, a Fine Tradition.
Paper Cutting, a Fine Tradition.
Paper Cutting, a Fine Tradition.
