Artist Talk: Paper Cutting

Join us for an exploration of each artist’s craft, trajectory and connection to legacy throughout the weekend in this interactive artist talk.

Paper cutting has historically been a part of communities throughout China. The art of paper cutting, or jianzhi, is done simply with a piece of paper and a knife or scissors. The patterns created may symbolize the ideas of blessedness, luck and fortune or be representative the artists’ regional cultures.

The artists participating in this program are from Shaanxi Province and represent the northern style, which is characterized by bold designs that contrast with the fine and delicate lines of the southern style.

Communities throughout China make paper cuttings as household decorations and for display during celebratory occasions. People typically hang them from doors and windows; and they may also use them as patterns for textile embroidery. The designs and style of cutting, which may be done with scissors or a knife, reflect regional and cultural variations. The artists participating in this program are from Shaanxi Province and represent the northern style, which is characterized by bold designs that contrast with the fine and delicate lines of the southern style.

See the artists at work throughout the weekend in the Artisan Village.

PRICES
Everyone: FREE

Saturday, July 12, 2014
1:00PM – 1:45PM
Zone 5
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto Ontario

Tian Yali
Versatile artist, Tian Yali is also a painter, sachet-maker, and can prepare edible dough figurines. She first started making paper cuttings at 13 years old; and her first major project was creating the decorations for a family member’s wedding. She was “discovered” during the 1980s cultural census, and has won international awards for her work. She is involved in many folk arts associations, both at the provincial and county levels.

Gao Fenglian, Liu Jieqiong, Fan Rongrong
These are three generations of women papercutters from the same family. The matriarch, Gao Fenglian (b. 1935), learned from her mother and grandmother, both of whom supported the family with the art. Because they couldn’t always afford paper, Gao sometimes practiced by cutting leaves. Through the years she has balanced the creation of her artwork with her duties tilling the land in her village commune. She has been recognized as a national level cultural inheritor. Her daughter and granddaughter are also paper cutters and will be joining her at the Festival. They also demonstrate the songs they sing when they are working on their paper cutting.