Folk Paper-cut Craftsman： As long as children like it, they are not afraid of no successors.

Fang Jianguo shows paper-cutting to foreign friends. Photo courtesy of Fang Jianguo

　　Zhongxin. com, Hangzhou, October 5 th Title: Folk paper-cutting craftsmen: As long as children like it, they are not afraid of successors.

　　"Red ‘ Shou ’ In the word, there are not only national defense elements such as warships and aircraft carriers, but also elements closely related to people’s lives such as high-speed rail and high-rise buildings. These are the achievements made in the 70 years since the founding of New China. " Facing a hollowed-out paper-cut work named Shou, Fang Jianguo, a 65-year-old paper-cut craftsman in Qiantang, Hangzhou, said that it was his personal gift to the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

Fang Jianguo’s paper-cut works are popular with students. Photo courtesy of Fang Jianguo

　　Paper-cutting, also called paper cutting, is one of the oldest folk arts of the Han nationality in China. It was invented in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and reached its peak in the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 2,000 years. This is also the craft that Fang Jianguo insisted on for most of his life. Although fewer and fewer people cut paper, he is not too worried. "As long as children like it, they are not afraid of no one."

　　Since the 1980s, Fang Jianguo has been cutting paper for nearly 40 years. He is the deputy secretary-general of Zhejiang Folk Art Research Paper-cut Branch and the secretary-general of Hangzhou Paper-cut Art Professional Committee, and he prefers to call himself a "folk paper-cut artist".

Fang Jianguo’s paper-cut works are popular with students. Photo courtesy of Fang Jianguo

　　Put on reading glasses, carve up and down with a carving knife, and sit still all day … … This is the normal state of Fang Jianguo’s creation.

　　“‘ 28, stick grilles ’ In the past, during the Spring Festival, every household would put up various paper-cut patterns to express their wishes and blessings for a better life. As soon as the prosperous window grilles were put up, the taste of the year would be strong. " Fang Jianguo recalled that because his uncle was good at paper-cutting, the window grilles at home were particularly exquisite. "Once I saw my uncle’s work" My Aunt’s Head ",and I was immediately attracted by the works with both form and spirit. I not only became attached to paper-cutting, but I didn’t expect to cut it for a lifetime."

Exhibition of Fang Jianguo’s paper-cut works. Sun niya photo

　　All paper-cutting exhibitions must be present, imitate hard work as soon as they get home, and ask for advice from senior craftsmen humbly … … After several years of study, Fang Jianguo gradually formed a set of paper-cutting methodology of his own. According to its introduction, when creating a paper-cut work, it usually goes through eight steps, including element conception, data verification, composition, sketch, modification, finalization, paper engraving and final product.

　　"Paper-cutting for nearly 40 years, the society is progressing, and my creative content is getting richer and richer. I am no longer limited to window grilles, ‘ Hi ’ Small works such as words, but reflect the changes of the times through paper-cut works and promote the positive energy of society. " In Fang Jianguo’s hands, a series of works combined with the theme of the times are "vividly on the paper", including not only the filial piety work "Family and filial piety first" which reflects the three generations’ washing of their elders’ feet, but also the paper-cut work "Welcome to Hangzhou" of G20 Hangzhou Summit which contains elements such as three pools printing the moon and Hangzhou city logo.

Fang Jianguo’s paper-cut work Shou. Photo courtesy of Fang Jianguo

　　"Paper-cut art is not achieved overnight, and it is a test of skill and patience. If you want to pass on this traditional China arts and crafts better, you must start from the doll. " He said.

　　Nowadays, as a promoter of Qiantang paper-cut intangible cultural heritage, Fang Jianguo will go to schools, children’s palaces and other places in Hangzhou as a public paper-cut training teacher whenever he has time. In 2018 alone, he went to campuses and communities to teach folk paper-cutting techniques 36 times, with nearly 3,000 participants.

　　"Every time I see children’s little faces full of interest, I see the hope of the future of traditional arts and crafts. As long as children like paper cutting ‘ Old foundation ’ Skills, I am not afraid of no one. " Fang Jianguo said. (Author Qian Chenfei Sun Niya)