Giving cotton a new frame of reference

Material gets a creative twist in the hands of an artist, Yang Feiyue reports.

In a world where cotton is mostly seen merely as a soft and fluffy material that keeps us warm, Xu Hui views it as much more. With dexterous hands and an artistic flair, the woman, in her 50s, has managed to transform cotton wadding into delicate artworks.

A big wall painting jumps into sight when one enters Xu's studio in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

The images seem to pop out and have a life of their own, with meticulous details that present a small inn tucked away among a green bamboo forest where a stream flows through and children play. It lends the studio a natural touch.

When one steps in and examines the painting at close quarters, thin filaments can be spotted, unveiling the stunning craftsmanship that dates back to the beginning of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

"It's all made out of cotton wadding, which is dyed in different colors through such steps as boiling and air-drying," Xu says.

Although the materials and tools used for making paintings of cotton wadding are simple, involving just cotton, glue, pigments and forceps, it is difficult in the manufacturing process, which is time-consuming, Xu says.

To produce such a painting, it is necessary to go through 16 steps, including material selection, dyeing, outlining and framing.

"Cotton wadding is particularly suitable for creating floral and feather paintings," Xu explains.

The major raw material is high-quality long-fiber cotton that is manipulated into various shapes and sizes through spreading, pulling, twisting, tearing and winding by hand.

"It takes advantage of the stretchability of the cotton, and the product can be a semi-embossed painting," she explains.