On 23 November 2025 (local time), paper-cutting artworks from Beijing’s Chaoyang District were unveiled at the Lake House Arts Centre in Auckland. Guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chaoyang District Committee of Beijing, planned by the Chaoyang District Publicity and Culture Centre and hosted by the Chaoyang District Association for International Cultural Exchange, the exhibition has received strong support from the New Zealand China Friendship Society.
The exhibition features thirty-two works from five distinct themes - “Pandas,” “Plum-Blossom Celadon Vase,” “Little Fuwa,” “Twelve Zodiac Animals,” and “Lotus Vase”. Together, they showcase the unique charm of China’s intangible cultural heritage.
All pieces were created by the Qiaoniang (“Skilful Grannies”) Studio of the Panjiayuan Sub-district Office. With nothing more than a pair of scissors and a sheet of coloured paper, these silver-haired artists skillfully combine the beauty of nature with human sentiment. Whether depicting the endearing pandas, the elegant plum-blossom celadon vases and lotus vases, the lively “Little Fuwa,” or the zodiac cycle symbolizing the passage of time, each motif represents a meaningful emblem of Chinese culture. Each of the thirty-two pieces has its own distinct character. Through their intricate “paper-cutting” craftsmanship, they convey China’s goodwill to the world and embody both the profound heritage and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture.
Paper-cutting, one of China’s oldest forms of folk art, is closely associated with the invention and use of paper. Its history dates back a remarkable 2227 years to the Han Dynasty. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the art form is renowned for its distinctive openwork techniques and diverse artistic expression. Chaoyang’s paper-cutting art, while rooted in tradition, incorporates modern elements, forming a distinctive style that is delicate, dynamic and filled with auspicious symbolism.
More than a simple art display, the exhibition is a deep cultural dialogue. This cross-cultural artistic celebration merges millennia of memory with millennia of craftsmanship, leveraging intangible cultural heritage to connect the world and build a cultural bridge where art transcends borders and age.
