A model shows off a fashion design by Wu Xiaomei featuring the traditional art of Huizhou paper-cutting. [Photo/Chinanews.com]
Just walk into the Wu Xiaomei Papercut Experience Center in Huizhou Ancient Town – located in Shexian county in Huangshan city, in Anhui province – and you're bound to be dazzled by the cornucopia of Huizhou paper-cutting works.
A leading female artisan called Wu is a representative inheritor of Huizhou paper-cutting, who helps pass on the Anhui provincial intangible cultural heritage item to future generations.
Her masterful works have won awards in various competitions in China.
Huizhou paper-cutting has a long and rich history. It integrates painting, tattooing, carving and cutting into one – giving it a unique appeal.
As distinct from window grille paper-cutting in the north, its themes include not only the traditional ones of wealth, fortune, longevity, happiness, flowers, birds, insects and fish – but also Huizhou's scenery, folk customs and historical figures.
As a leading representative of Huizhou paper-cutting, Wu has dedicated herself to revitalizing the traditional art and handicraft.
She's been actively promoting Huizhou paper-cutting through livestreaming, online stores, as well as study tours and exhibitions.
Wu is also keen on innovation and development of the craft, creating various cultural and creative products which are highly sought after by young people. Such products include window grilles themed on the cartoon figure of Peppa Pig, three-dimensional paper sculpture lamps and colored paper-cut works.
Wu believes that Huizhou paper-cutting is very inclusive and can be combined with any material that can be hollowed out.
Recently, she showcased 10 sets of fashion clothing designs using Huizhou paper-cutting as the main technique.
"I am very happy to see foreign models loving my work," Wu said.
"Through the display at the fashion show, many people have approached me to make the same style of fashion and there are also foreign models who want to learn the art of paper-cutting," she added.
Wu believes that Huizhou paper-cutting is beloved by both Chinese and foreign friends because it has the cultural characteristics of Huizhou – the ancient name of Huangshan.
She said she will continue to inherit and innovate Huizhou paper-cutting and help the art enter a larger international stage.