10. Elephant (for Peace)
PREFACE
We should learn from our children, especially from their curious, unrestrained approach to exploring change when they play with toys. They will not be satisfied with established results. What attracts them most is the toys that can be disassembled and reassembled according to their own preferences. The intellectual toy “tangram” (a puzzle composed of seven boards), handed down from ancient times, consists of nothing more than five triangular boards and two quadrilateral boards, but together these simple boards produce kaleidoscopic graphics. The process of playing the seven-piece puzzle forms in us an awareness that seemingly complex things can be reduced to the simplest elements by decomposition, and simple elements can be combined into extremely rich alterations.
We have compiled two books of “quilling art,” in which we encourage quilling art enthusiasts to exercise a spirit of variety, so that learning becomes an exploratory process of exerting personality. In this book, we will further present the principle of change through the simplest items. The parts of various shapes in these works are derived from the simplest elements of different sizes and lengths, with the longer ones turning into lines and the smaller ones into dots, and both merging into a plane. You will find the art of paper quilling amazingly simple.
Learning paper quilling is like playing with toys, exploring with curiosity, and combining with imagination. You do not need to stick to the book’s view. Rather, you should leave space for your own ideas. Everyone is sure to find paper quilling a surprisingly interesting art.
Zhu Liqun
Fig. 7 Crane
In traditional Chinese culture, the crane is a symbol of auspiciousness, longevity, and elegance. In Taoism, the crane is often used as an immortal’s mount because of its ethereal grace. This work is ingeniously presented in a round composition, with the orange sunlight and blue waves dividing the picture into two, vividly highlighting a flying crane and creating a scene of elegance and profundity.
INTRODUCTION
Paper quilling is a type of craftwork produced by splicing and stacking long, colorful paper strips, turning them into various basic elements through processing by hand or with simple tools. Using paper as the carrier of artistic expression, paper quilling includes various techniques, different styles, unique charm, and unlimited potential for artistic expression.
Originating in the West, paper quilling has been welcomed by more paper art enthusiasts since its introduction into China. With their distinctive wisdom, creativity, and dexterity, Chinese enthusiasts have given new life to paper quilling and brought new changes and possibilities to this traditional Western art form. Zhu Liqun Paper Arts Museum is the first paper quilling art studio in China. Under the leadership of artist Zhu Liqun, a group of paper art enthusiasts have worked together to integrate traditional Chinese culture and artistic expressions into this art form, creating paper quilling with Chinese characteristics.
Chinese style paper quilling applies flexible techniques, expresses rich themes, and highlights a free style of creation. With some simple basic skills, beginners are able to create their own paper quilling works and experience unparalleled fun in the process.
Fig. 8 God of Longevity
The long-lived man is the God of Longevity in ancient myth. In this work, the author skillfully uses a large number of crescent elements, showing his big forehead, long eyebrows and beard, and ripe pink peaches, vividly capturing the image of a smiling old man enjoying a long life.
Fig. 9 Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate
In this work, the artist uses blue crescents to represent the waves of the Yellow River and green splashes to show the turbulence of the current. Two carps, one golden and one red, are working hard to go upstream, refusing to give up. It is another expression of “carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.”
CHAPTER ONE
Chinese Style Paper Quilling and Chinese Auspicious Culture
Inheritance and innovation are the greatest characteristics of Chinese style paper quilling. Compared with the traditional Western style, the outstanding feature of Chinese paper quilling is that it absorbs traditional Chinese culture and draws upon traditional Chinese art forms to create novel techniques and express the art of paper quilling in a free, changing, and flexible style. In this book, we choose quilling works with auspicious themes, focusing on the animals that people have favored to present the unique artistic beauty of Chinese style paper quilling.
Auspicious culture has a long history in China, carrying the Chinese people’s yearning for a better life and their prayerful visions. Every country or nation has its own customs, culture, and beliefs, giving birth to different forms and expressions of auspicious culture. It is generally believed that the auspicious culture of China originated from the symbols and totems depicted in ancient people’s sacrifices. Totems are the oldest form of mascots. Ancient people believed that totems had the power to eliminate disasters and safeguard peace. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600–256 BC), people began to cast patterns on the bronze wares used for celestial worship or ancestor worship in their prayers for good fortune and avoidance of misfortunes, which embodies China’s auspicious culture. During the Warring States period (475–221 BC), the connotation of auspicious culture was further developed, and more mascots with symbolic significance emerged. With the progression of history, people’s awareness of auspiciousness and those auspicious symbols have gradually developed into China’s traditional auspicious culture.
Auspicious culture can be divided into different categories based on its sources and carriers, and the criteria for classification are not conclusive. The paper quilling works in this book include categories such as zodiac, mythical creatures, animals, homophony, landscapes and figures.
Fig. 10 Landscape Series (Picture Two)
See page 4 for details.
Fig. 11 Pixiu
In Chinese mythology, the Pixiu is one of the nine sons of the dragon. It is a winged, lion-like beast, which symbolizes benevolence and auspice. It can guard treasures and drive away monsters and evil spirits. This work employs simple colors and exquisite techniques to create a majestic Pixiu.
Auspicious zodiac is made up of the twelve zodiac animals, which are applied to record people’s year of birth. These twelve species of animals match the twelve earthly branches in traditional Chinese cosmology. Their status and influence in China are similar to those of the twelve constellations in the West. In Chinese people’s heart, these twelve animals are auspicious, and they have been endowed with positive personality traits.
Auspicious mythical creatures include the unicorn, phoenix, tortoise and dragon, the four legendary sacred beasts, respectively representing benevolence, dignity, longevity, and holiness. For thousands of years, Chinese people have held these four sacred beasts as mascots. The Chinese nation refers to itself as “the descendant of the dragon,” which reveals the high position of the dragon among Chinese people (Fig. 11).
Auspicious animals are those animals found in nature, which the imaginative Chinese people have endowed with unique meanings. Cranes, magpies, peacocks, white tigers, spiders, etc.