Scissors Speak: The Timeless Beauty of Yangzhou Paper Cutting

2025-06-04 09:24:00

Yangzhou paper cutting is a dazzling gem of traditional Chinese art. Unlike other styles, its realistic aesthetic is rooted in the unique artistic heritage nurtured by the Grand Canal. Zhang Zhenmei, the seventh-generation inheritor of Yangzhou paper cutting, describes the craft as“brush-and-ink painting with scissors.”

When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) ordered the construction of canals linking north and south, Yangzhou emerged as a vital hub for grain transport. The city also attracted scholars from across the country, transforming paper cutting from a folk decorative craft into a refined pursuit of the literati.

Today, Zhang Zhenmei is ready to begin a new artistic dialogue. She hopes to incorporate Western imagery into her creations, interpreting it through the expressive lens of Eastern aesthetics. This cultural endeavour echoes the artistic fusion that once flourished along the banks of the Grand Canal.