Cutting edge of tradition

"It reflects my mood at that time, when I quit my job and faced uncertainty about the future. Although the waiting process was painful, it was hopeful," he adds.

In 2012, he established the Yile Paper-Cutting Art workshop in Xiamen and within half a year, he created dozens of pieces. That summer, he spent tens of thousands of yuan to hold his first exhibition to let his art to be seen by more people. However, the exhibition did not welcome many visitors, with only one piece sold for 328 yuan.

"When the exhibition was over and I packed my works at midnight, a framed piece fell to the ground and shattered. There was a moment when I thought about giving up, but I believed in the value of my craft," he says.