Class Description

The art of papercut has been a traditionally celebrated art for thousands of years. It is highly popular amongst all generations and has a varied range styles from various regions. It is used for many ritualistic and ceremonial uses such as Lunar New year, in which the cut patterns are adhered to windows as a form of decoration bringing joy and happiness. It is also used for weddings, birthday celebrations, birth of a child, as well as various occasions. In this class, we will learn the basic techniques used in the traditional style of Shanxi province of northwestern China, which has a rich and ancient history of paper cutting and is still passed down until today. We will work on different forms and techniques, and create intricate and sophisticated papercut art. And because we are in the winter and approaching the beginning of a new year, and coming closer to the Asian Lunar New Year, the traditional style of red paper used during festivities will be our choice of color and material. We will create works of popular subjects, motifs and symbolism common in Chinese culture. Paper and basic tools used for this class will be provided by us. If you like, you can bring personal tools such as fine scissors for craft, small Exacto knives, cutting mats. Instructor Julia Z. Wang is a passionate artist whose subjects are depictions of the tranquil and peaceful nature of subjects. Her work focuses on two styles, that of realism and abstract. Her favorite subjects are portraits, figurative art and still life. The primary medium of oil and traditional drawing. Having been involved in the arts at a young age, Julia started to learn the traditional art of Chinese meticulous paint in her hometown of Beijing at age eight. Later took many classes in the US, including art rooted in the European an East Asian traditions. Her media includes drawing, oil, watercolor, Asian meticulous and expressionistic ink painting.