Meet Cao Hongxia, a fifth-generation papercutting artist from Yulin in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, whose scissors dance to the rhythm of tradition and innovation. 🎶 'Maybe I started in my mom’s womb,' she laughs, recalling her lifelong bond with the craft.
Her journey began under a kerosene lamp’s glow, watching family create intricate designs. By age three, she tore Spring Festival couplets to craft paper flowers—a mischievous act that revealed her talent. 🌸 'My mom scolded me… then became my first teacher,' Cao shares.
Drawing from Shaanxi’s folk songs, proverbs, and customs, Cao’s works are love letters to her homeland. Her art even reached global stages: in 2014, she crafted vibrant papercut portraits for Michelle Obama during the former U.S. first lady’s visit to Xi’an. 🌍✨
But for Cao, the future lies in winning Gen Z’s heart. 💬 'To keep folk art alive, weave it into daily life—families, communities, even TikTok!' she says. For her, every snip isn’t just art—it’s a bridge between generations.
