Paper Connection International

Paper Connection International

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01/09/2026

for more than 30 years and still finding more beauty to share in 2026.

Ku Shulan (1920-2004)
China
Using a papercutting collage technique of her own invention, Ku Shulan conjured a world steeped in ordinary joy and spiritual resonance. Rosy-cheeked figures - friends, lovers, and family members - gather in close companionship in her works, while other living beings are depicted with equal attentiveness and affection. Her style of art is extremely intricate.
Out of cherishment, she retained many scraps from cuttings and reused them in her work. Thus, a medium-sized piece often contains thousands of components. Her works each correspond to a folk song, some remembered from childhood, others stemming from her own experience.
At the age of 60, Ku was discovered during a papercutting survey by the county cultural center.
With the support of its staff, she started to work prolifically and produced over 1,500 pieces. Despite the joyoful imagery in her work, Ku endured prolonged abuse from her husband and mother-in-law and received little recognition for her artistic pursuits. In 1985, Ku accidentally fell in a ravine and remained unconscious for days. Upon awakening, she proclaimed herself the "Goddess of Paper-Cutting," believing she has been tasked with the mission of easing human misery through her art. A lotus-seated female figure holding scissors began to appear frequently in her works. She also transformed a corner of her cave house into the "dwelling of the Goddess of Paper-Cutting," adorning it with colorful paper cuttings and bringing her imaginary world to life. 11/12/2025

Her papercutting is so cool!

Ku Shulan (1920-2004) China Using a papercutting collage technique of her own invention, Ku Shulan conjured a world steeped in ordinary joy and spiritual resonance. Rosy-cheeked figures - friends, lovers, and family members - gather in close companionship in her works, while other living beings are depicted with equal attentiveness and affection. Her style of art is extremely intricate. Out of cherishment, she retained many scraps from cuttings and reused them in her work. Thus, a medium-sized piece often contains thousands of components. Her works each correspond to a folk song, some remembered from childhood, others stemming from her own experience. At the age of 60, Ku was discovered during a papercutting survey by the county cultural center. With the support of its staff, she started to work prolifically and produced over 1,500 pieces. Despite the joyoful imagery in her work, Ku endured prolonged abuse from her husband and mother-in-law and received little recognition for her artistic pursuits. In 1985, Ku accidentally fell in a ravine and remained unconscious for days. Upon awakening, she proclaimed herself the "Goddess of Paper-Cutting," believing she has been tasked with the mission of easing human misery through her art. A lotus-seated female figure holding scissors began to appear frequently in her works. She also transformed a corner of her cave house into the "dwelling of the Goddess of Paper-Cutting," adorning it with colorful paper cuttings and bringing her imaginary world to life.

11/07/2025

See you tomorrow@artannexri !!!!

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