Chinese Paper Cutting
Project Title: Cultural Paper Play — 「紙上乾坤」 Chinese Paper Cutting
Focus: Cultural Heritage, Yin–Yang Carving, Reflective Artist Statement
Level: Junior Secondary to IBDP Foundation Art Students
Paper cutting artworks showcase – Credits to students from Ms Ng’s Grade 8 art class.
Project Overview
Chinese paper cutting (剪紙) is a traditional folk art that symbolizes blessings, festivity, and harmony. This project introduces students to the cultural and philosophical depth of Yin–Yang through the delicate craft of cutting. By transforming a simple sheet of paper into a balanced design, students explore how positive and negative space interact, and how heritage can be expressed through contemporary creativity.
Students refine their artworks, reflect on their process, and compose artist statements that articulate theme, artistic choices, and cultural meaning.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge & Understanding
- Apply art-specific terminology: positive space, negative space, Yin–Yang carving, balance, harmony, symmetry, composition, visual weight.
- Understand how Yin (陰刻, background removal) and Yang (陽刻, interior detail) create visual balance.
- Appreciate the cultural significance of paper cutting in Chinese and local Hong Kong traditions.
Technical Skills
- Safe and precise use of scissors, cutters, and fine cutting knives.
- Application of Yin–Yang carving to achieve harmony.
- Refinement of details to strengthen craftsmanship and durability.
- Writing reflective artist statements that connect theme, process, and cultural meaning.
Paper cutting artworks showcase – Credits to students from Ms Ng’s Grade 8 art class.
Generic Skills
- Communication: Explain artistic choices clearly in discussion and writing.
- Critical Thinking: Evaluate balance of positive/negative space and Yin–Yang effects.
- Self-management: Refine independently and manage time effectively.
- Creativity: Apply Yin–Yang concept to storytelling through design.
- Collaboration: Share reflections and engage in peer feedback.
CGTN Europe
Attitudes & Values
- Respect diverse artistic abilities and approaches.
- Value patience, harmony, and craftsmanship.
- Appreciate Chinese cultural heritage and the philosophical concept of Yin–Yang in art.
Project Instructions
Students begin with a sheet of paper and design motifs inspired by Chinese or local Hong Kong culture — such as floral patterns, bauhinia blossoms, lion dance figures, or skyline silhouettes. Using scissors, cutters, and fine cutting knives, they carefully carve out positive and negative spaces, balancing Yin and Yang.
Once the artwork is nearly complete, students reflect on their process, considering craftsmanship, visual effects, and philosophical meaning. They then compose an artist statement that explains their theme, artistic choices, and how Yin–Yang carving enhances harmony in their design.
Paper cutting artworks showcase – Credits to students from Ms Ng’s Grade 8 art class.
Extensions & Enrichment
- Advanced Levels (IB DP Art): Encourage students to expand their work into diptychs, triptychs, or multi-panel series. This allows exploration of narrative, variation of motifs, and deeper philosophical connections across multiple pieces.
- Any Level (Group Work): Motivate students to collaborate on storytelling projects, such as creating four-step comic-style sequences. Each panel can illustrate a progression of ideas — blessings unfolding, harmony evolving, or cultural motifs interacting — turning paper cutting into a visual narrative.
Assessment Criteria
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Craftsmanship & Precision | Safe handling of tools, neatness, durability of cut design. |
| Balance of Positive/Negative Space | Effective use of Yin–Yang carving to achieve harmony. |
| Reflection & Artist Statement | Clear articulation of theme, artistic choices, refinement, and cultural meaning. |
| Creativity & Interpretation | Originality in design, integration of local HK style motifs, and storytelling through paper cutting. |
Fun Fact & Philosophical Note
Chinese paper cutting is often displayed on windows during festivals, symbolizing light shining through blessings. Each cut is both subtraction and creation — a dialogue between Yin and Yang.
This project helps students see art as both craft and philosophy, balancing fragility and strength, tradition and innovation.
Paper cutting artworks showcase – Credits to students from Ms Ng’s Grade 8 art class.
“When students cut paper, they carve culture; when they reflect, they shape identity.”
— Idy NG
