In the heart of Beijing's Nanchizi Museum, young female artist Chen Fenwan unveils her captivating paper-cutting installation, "A Wall." This artistic masterpiece is part of the ongoing "Dian Xi Yi Ben – Shadow Puppetry and Contemporary Art Exhibition" and serves as a poignant tribute to the old buildings and the lives of local residents in the Taipingxu area of Guangdong Province.
Taipingxu, once a vibrant market and village in south China's Guangdong Province, now stands almost abandoned. Chen Fenwan draws inspiration from the remnants of this once-bustling community, describing the traces left on the buildings as "carvings" made by time. These marks, reminiscent of specific historical moments, are meticulously replicated through her paper-cutting techniques.
To create "A Wall," Chen observed and collected the peeling marks from the exterior walls of Taipingxu's buildings. Each trace was carefully named, numbered, and transformed into paper cuttings. The installation features over 600 pieces of this intricate art, collectively restoring the stories of past residents and breathing new life into the memories of Taipingxu.
Through "A Wall," Chen Fenwan not only preserves the architectural heritage of Taipingxu but also invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the enduring spirit of the community it once housed. Her work stands as a testament to the power of art in capturing and conveying the essence of a region's history and culture.
Reference(s):
Works by female paper-cutting artist tells story behind old buildings
cgtn.com
