Chinese Paper Art

Chinese paper cutting, known as Jianzhi, is one of the most popular folk arts in China. The paper was invented by a Chinese Court Official Cai Lun during the Han Dynasty in 105 A.D. The invention of paper led to the use of paper as a new media to create intricate images and patterns in China. The Chinese paper cuts appeared as early as during the Southern and Northern Dynasties 420-589 A.D. and later became a serious art form during the Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD. Originally, people used paper cuts as sacrificial offerings to deities, ancestors, and deceased relatives. Later, people started to use them as decorative ornaments in their houses for doors, windows, walls, ceiling and lamps. Today, the subjects of paper cuts expanded to include, animals, Chinese opera figures, flora and fauna, gods and deities, landscapes, folklores and so on. The styles of paper cuts can be distinguished by geographic variations. Paper cuts made in Northern China tend to be bolder and less sophisticated, while those made in the South are more likely to have fine details. The prominent paper cutting centers in Northern China are Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces, whereas in the South are Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. This exhibit displays China collection's paper cuts, mostly collected in the 1960s and 1970s, from different regions of China.