Teochew paper-cutting is a form of Teochew traditional folk art. Its images of flowers, fruits, birds and animals, people, landscapes and Chinese written character outlines exhibit deep Teochew cultural characteristics. Ng Ziou-iang 黃朝陽, an inheritor of the Teochew paper-cutting art from Teo’an 潮安 (Chao’an), China, was invited to this year’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival celebration organised by the Teo Ann Huay Kuan 潮安會館 in Singapore. He demonstrated his exquisite paper-cutting expertise and wowed the audience with his "speed cutting" and "blind cutting" skills. Ng Ziou-iang also held a paper-cutting experience class at the Teo Ann Huay Kuan, where he warmly shared the history, culture and techniques of Teochew paper-cutting with the attendees.
How did Ng Ziou-iang begin his involvement with Teochew paper-cutting? What are the unique features of Teochew paper-cutting compared to the art from other areas of China? The Teochew Store recently contacted Ng Ziou-iang, and he told us the story behind his love for Teochew paper-cutting.