Foshan paper-cut, properly speaking “paper carving”, means paper patterns carved out of a sheet of paper. In technical terms, paper-cuts are divided into tinting, painting and color-matching, showing a splendid and fascinating Lingnan (South China) regional characteristic. 

Since the 1950s, modern Foshan paper-cut has experienced a new glorious period in history, creating new themes, languages and styles on the basis of traditional techniques and referencing art forms such as woodcuts and posters. Following the art policy of “Art Serving Politics”, modern Foshan paper-cuts eulogized workers, famers and soldiers, celebrating our beloved motherland and the glorious history of revolution, and propagating the Communist Party of China and current policies. In artistic language and style, modern Foshan paper-cut has a simple but exciting feature. Paper-cut artists such as Zhang Ba, Pan Baoqi, Lin Zaihua, Tang Jixiang, Yang Yongxiong and Deng Benqi, are not only outstanding figures in Foshan, but also frontiers in this field nationwide.

In this exhibition, we have selected more than 60 pieces of paper-cuts from our collection. We sincerely hope that the audiences will have a deeper understanding towards Foshan paper-cuts as well as Lingnan folk art and cultures.