After the Ming and Qing Dynasties, paper-cutting gradually separated from embroidery and became a unique folk art. Zhangpu paper-cut occupies a certain position in China folk art with its unique artistic style, rich original ecological flavor and simple aesthetic feeling.
When it comes to Zhangpu paper-cutting, everyone will think of the names of four old ladies who have passed away: Jin Chen, Huang, Lin Tao and Chen. Collectively known as the "four great gods of southern Fujian". The creative styles of Zhangpu paper-cut are diverse. On the basis of inheriting Zhangpu paper-cuts, Jin Chen and Huang used traditional embroidery techniques for reference to create a "hollowing out" technique, which formed the realistic characteristics of Zhangpu paper-cuts with rich and symmetrical composition and complex and delicate lines. Lin Tao and Xie Chen, based on their native land and paying attention to subjective imagination, created the artistic composition of Zhangpu paper-cut and the abstract freehand brushwork atmosphere of Gu Zhuo; Lin Tao, in particular, is called "China Folk Picasso" by the art world. "Four Gods of Scissors" is not only an outstanding representative of the southern paper-cutting art school, but also a real farmer and fisherman. They were illiterate from childhood and worked day and night when they grew up. Paper-cutting is not a profession, but a natural hobby, a conscious inheritance and a long-term accomplishment. The four old people accompanying scissors, with their silent artistic language and mature and exquisite techniques, not only left precious works handed down from generation to generation for paper-cutting art, but also influenced and inspired Zhangpu artists who were interested in paper-cutting art from generation to generation.
Today, Zhangpu County has a team of nearly 1,000 paper-cut authors, old, young and young, each showing his magical powers. Chen Qiuri, Gao, Ouyang, Liu, You Jinmei and other paper-cut artists have absorbed the nutrition of various art schools in the north and south of the Yangtze River and kept pace with the times. Many of their works have won prizes in competitions held at home and abroad, each with its own characteristics. 20 10 "The First Folk Paper-cut Art Vocational Skills Competition in Fujian Province" was held in Zhangpu. More than 100 paper-cutting experts from all cities (counties) in the province won the highest award "Golden Knife Scissors Award" through the two-day on-site creation and paper-cutting skill competition, which indicates that Zhangpu paper-cutting skills have reached the top level of Fujian paper-cutting art.
In Zhangpu County, Chen Qiuri, Gao and Ouyang were successively awarded the honorary title of "Fujian Arts and Crafts Masters" by the Fujian Provincial Government, and the Fujian Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security also successively approved Chen Qiuri's paper-cutting studio, paper-cutting studio, Gao paper-cutting studio and Ouyang paper-cutting studio as "Fujian Arts and Crafts Masters Studio". Zhangpu paper-cutting has a long history and has a way of inheritance. With the development of paper-cutting industry in Zhangpu County, paper-cutting artists in Zhangpu County are also trying to cultivate new paper-cutting people from generation to generation. They either hold training classes in their own art galleries or walk into the campus to spread paper-cutting skills to teachers and students hand in hand. The popularity of Zhangpu paper-cutting among the people and the inheritance of paper-cutting artists all show a virtuous circle.