Paper-cutting is one of China's most popular traditional folk arts highlighted by distinctive regional characteristics.

It has a history dating back more than 1,500 years according to unearthed cultural relics, but it may be even older.

Paper-cutting is regarded as a precious non-material cultural heritage with skills passed down by oral teaching from one generation to another for thousands of years.

Traditional patterns in paper-cutting include symbols such as hackle mark, crescent pattern, curly grain, curve, straight line, round orifice and square edged orifice.

One of the annual events in the Shanghai International Arts Festival, the 2008 Contemporary Shanghai Paper Cutting Art Exhibition kicked off at the No. 1 Art Museum yesterday.

A total of 138 paper-cut works, created by 83 artists, are on display. The works are divided by their style into four sections - traditional paper cutting, haipai (Shanghais-style) paper-cutting, creative paper-cutting and student paper-cutting works.

Li Shoubai, well-known for his paintings, sculptures and paper-cutting works of shikumen (stone-gated) houses, is exhibiting a huge piece called "Shanghai Children's Tales" that is 17 meters long and 60 centimeters high.

The piece features 39 children's tales, images of 152 people and 46 animals. "It took me about six months to finish," says Li.

Works of many famous figures in Chinese art can be found in the exhibition, including late paper-cutting master Wang Zigan, his son Wang Jianzhong, Lin Ximing and Chen Qi.

Some exhibits are by students with the themes reflective of their observations and understandings of life. "For Wang Xinyun" was created by Siva, a Chinese student studying in the United Kingdom. The work represents her best wishes for her deaf nephew.

"We hope this high-level exhibition will show and inherit Shanghai-style paper-cutting art, popularize paper-cutting art and techniques and introduce the charm of this art to the world," says Xin Yahua, secretary general of Shanghai Fork Artists Association.

Date: through October 22, 9am-5pm

Address: 1 Jianguo Rd M.

(Shanghai Daily October 17, 2008)