A young paper-cutting inheritor in China, leading a student team, has created 80 large works to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world's victory against fascism, turning traditional folk art into a vivid tribute to history.
Wang Jiaxin, a graduate student in fine arts education at Hengyang Normal University in central China's Hunan Province, grew up in Yangquan City, an important resistance base in Shanxi Province.
Hearing wartime stories from his grandparents nurtured his interest in history, while his grandmother's love of paper-cutting guided him to gradually become a young inheritor of the craft. Last year, he began planning a paper-cutting exhibition to mark the occasion.
"What's unique about paper-cutting is its hollow design. When the work is finished and you hold it up, the light shines through, and in that instant, all the emotions you poured into it come rushing back to you," Wang said.
With the idea in mind, Wang quickly formed a team of more than 30 students at the university and guided them through weeks of training before embarking on the painstaking production phase.
Drawing from historical photos, the group worked under the guidance of a professor specializing in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to ensure accuracy. Each draft underwent strict review before being cut, carved, and meticulously refined.
With a strong sense of responsibility and mission, the team carefully honed each of these paper-cuttings that hold vital historical significance.
"We've mostly learned about that period through history classes, which were abstract and couldn't visually convey the scenes. By researching the stories' background and understanding the context, we could create the works with a deeper sense of understanding and respect," said a team member Liao Kehong.
To help audiences connect with the works, the team added a caption to each piece, with a QR code linking to more details about the historical events depicted. The team referred to historical documents and records extensively to ensure factual accuracy, which, in the meantime, has helped them deepen their own understanding of Chinese people's wartime struggle.
"Many students told me, 'The stories gave me goosebumps, and I'll remember this part of history and tell my grandparents how we completed the works.' I believe this represents the best kind of practice and it reflects the deeper purpose of this initiative-- using paper-cutting to tell history and reach more people," Wang said.
After nearly three months of intense work, the 80-piece collection, each measuring over one meter in both length and width, was made public on Aug 10 at one campus of the university.
"The works are excellent both in thought and artistry. Looking back is not about hatred or revenge, but about learning from history so such tragedies never happen again," said Ouyang Kang, a 92-year-old visitor.
"We want people to know that period of history, to understand the hardships our predecessors had, and to recognize the efforts and sacrifices they made for our better lives today," Wang said.
Young Chinese artist revives WWII history with paper-cutting
