Age-old art form gets new lease on life

Characteristics, ideas

Ji said a complete paper-cut work needs to combine linguistic symbols, regional characteristics and thematic ideas. Each of her works has a story behind it.

A symbol that often appears in her work is the saw-tooth pattern. Shaped like a flame, it symbolizes Turpan, which is known as "the city of fire" because temperatures can reach 50 C in summer and rain is absent almost all year, resulting in the renowned sweet grapes.

In 2019, Ji started a paper-cutting studio in Grape Valley, a well-known tourist destination in the city. To promote protection of local intangible culture heritage, the valley's administration has provided free space in a bazaar for more than 20 craftspeople like Ji.

Last year, at a fair held in the valley and dedicated to related items, many visitors were attracted to a paper-cut series Ji had created with the theme of the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

One piece depicted a nurse with long, beautiful hair wearing a mask and a protective hat.

Ji was deeply impressed by female medical workers who cut their long hair to ensure a better fit with the protective suits they wore while battling on the front line of the fight.