Cutting edge of tradition

Breaking boundaries

When talking about the traditional craft of paper-cutting, interior decors sticking to windows and doors would come to most people's mind. The paper creations were intended to honor gods and ancestors and later evolved into a leisure activity for women and children across the country.

In 2009, Zhangpu paper-cutting was added to UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity as a part of Chinese paper-cutting tradition. The Zhangpu style is monochromatic and emphasizes proportional composition, smooth lines and a graceful style. To elevate the style beyond its traditional origins, Ye spent more than 10 years to find the balance between the craft and contemporary life.

Different from the traditional approach to the craft in which the drawing is done first and then the cutting, Ye splashes black, red or yellow ink on rice paper first, then draws elaborate designs and finally cuts and engraves the paper creation.