Preserving an art form one cut at a time

It is in the remote villages of Ansai that the art of paper-cutting is most fiercely preserved. Women have passed the practice down through generations, teaching their children the secrets of creating patterns that blend geometric precision with artistic creativity. Whether creating simple motifs to decorate the home or intricate scenes for festive celebrations and weddings, Ansai paper-cutting has been central to the culture of the community, says Wang.

The cultural center displays paper-cutting works from different generations of artisans, educates the public about the art form, and organizes workshops dedicated to honing the craft.

Artisans often fold the paper before cutting, allowing them to produce symmetrical patterns that are highly intricate. The pieces are small, but the details make them impressive.

For Yu, the journey into the art form began early as a child. Growing up in a small farming family in Ansai, she was surrounded by the vastness of nature and rural life. Women in her family, especially her grandmother, were skilled at paper-cutting, which naturally inspired Yu to take on the traditional craft.

"They would sit for hours in the dim light of the yaodong (or cave houses, a unique style of dwelling in northern China), cutting delicate designs with scissors. I watched in awe as they turned a simple piece of red paper into a masterpiece that would bring luck and joy to the family," recalls Yu.