Liu Ren: What I have done is only a rough idea of what I’m going to cut out. Then I ’m going to cut it out with my scissors.
Folk paper-cutting is a Chinese art form. It’s just like traditional Chinese painting, oil painting or calligraphy. What’s wonderful about paper-cutting is that it isn’t just limited to people in the countryside-everyone from all different communities do it too.
Just like she mentioned, Liu Ren tries her best to promote the art in China and also the world.
I like doing freehand paper cutting. Ideally you shouldn’t draw a design on the paper and then cut it out. The best part about paper cutting is you, the paper and scissors working together.
In 1993, I was invited to exhibit Chinese paper-cutting to other countries.
I hope to build more recognition for Chinese folk paper-cutting.
In order to pass on this art form, I teach people who really love the art of Chinese paper-cutting, and I don’t charge them any tuition.
Last year, I had an American student who was studying Chinese culture at a UK university. He came to China to write his thesis. I gave him some lessons on Chinese paper-cutting.
After he went back to continue his studies, he entered a logo design competition in his university. He created a logo by doing a paper-cutting and he won the top prize! The young student was so excited and he told me that his college friends all wanted to learn more about Chinese paper-cutting and even about me.
The art form is warmly welcomed in the UK.
My dream is to set up one or two paper-cutting museums in other countries.
When I was young, I made butterflies in different art forms. I think everyone is born with artistic talent.
