Artist

Introduction of the Artist

The papercuts we exhibit are designed by the famous papercut artist Mr. Li Shuijun.

Papercutting is a traditional folk art with over a thousand year history. It is a very exquisite and time-consuming procedure, which includes designing, carving & cutting, and then painting. Papercuts are for good luck and good wishes.

Born in Hunan province. Mr. Li Shuijun is the 6th generation of a papercut artist family. He created his first papercut with his grandfather's knife before he even started primary school. After he graduated from Hunan Art Institute in 1986, Mr. Li was determined to create the papercuts that are perfect combinations of the traditional and modern art.

Mr. Li collected the most popular and beloved traditional papercut patterns that his family has passed down through generations, as well as those from other legendary papercut families. After a decade of study, he has refined more than hundred of traditional patterns as well as created many of his own unique designs.

In addition to the creativity of his designs, Mr. Li is also noted for incorporting unique colors into his papercuts , making his work exceptional in this field. Traditionally, papercuts were mostly of one color, either red or black. Mr. Li makes one-color papercuts of his own design as well. However, his most unique works are of those with multiple colors.

He uses the most traditional ways to make his paints for papercuts. His colors are brilliant and bold. Just imagine painting the lines that could be as thin as a hair without breaking it. Nobody masters this as well as Mr. Li. The colors enhance the exquisite beauty of papercuts to a higher level.

Mr. Li said that he wants to introduce this unique art to more and more people. So, he opened his own studio a few year back. There are about a dozen skilled artisans that work for the studio now. He also has selected several students from all over the country. In the past, all the legendary artists or families would never accept a student who was not part of the family. They always wanted to keep their unique skills in the family. But Mr. Li said he would not keep any secret. All he wanted from his students are the love of this unique art and a creative mind.

Mr. Li's designs combined the best of the traditional charm of this art with his unique brilliant colors to a perfection. His works are not only symbols for good luck and good wishes, but also unique and brilliant decoration.