Beijing, July 9 (Youth.cn) - On July 6, 2025, in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, visitors stepped into the artistic universe of the outstanding folk artist Ku Shulan at her multicolored paper-cutting exhibition.

The exhibition showed diverse works crafted through three signature techniques: cutting, pasting, and backing. Representing a distinct folk art of Xunyi County, Ku Shulan’s paper-cutting collages have been inscribed onto both provincial and national intangible cultural heritage safeguarding lists.

Ku Shulan was born in an impoverished farming family. She began to learn paper-cutting at age six. Her collage style was characterized by audacious compositions, voluptuous figural representations, and electrifying chromatic vibrancy, which rapidly captured the art field’s attention. In 1996, UNESCO honored her as an?“Master of China Folk Art and Crafts”, making her the first Chinese to receive this title.

On December 19, 2004, Ku Shulan passed away at her humble dwelling at the age of 84. Photo/CFP