I was introduced to papercutting in my early childhood in China + then found the craft again as an adult after developing sixth nerve cerebral palsy. My vision doesn’t allow for me to choose the more active parts of my life anymore + much of my creative energy goes into papercutting!

Papercutting is practiced in many cultures all over the world. My favourite form of it is in Chinese papercutting where it was passed down informally from mother to daughter. It was (is) a rich visual language that was used to circumnavigate patriarchal structures, story-tell + communicated principles, moral lessons, folk tales + more.

Xiyadie is my favourite contemporary artist. His family were farmers + his mother taught him to papercut. His works explore his sexuality, family and social critiques. He was a farmer, and then moved to Beijing as a migrant worker.