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Zhao Caixuan: The art of "paper tearing"

My name is Zhao Caixuan, I am 65-years-old. I graduated from Nankai University in 1968 and am the fifth generation descendent of an artistic Chinese family that specializes in paper cutting and tearing. When I was young, I learned the art of paper cutting and tearing from my grandmother and mother, and mastered basics of the art by about age 12. By inheriting these skills, I further created my own paper tearing style, the very specialized and unique Yanzhao technique.. In October, 2004, the tearing art work I did named "The World Lights Up As Soon As the Cock Sings" was sent to French President Jacques Chirac as a gift. In July of 2005, I made for Indonesia's First Lady a work titled "Chinese Dragon." Meanwhile, some of my other works, including "The Camel" and "Ji Xiang Ru Yi" (Auspicious and Wishful), were collected by seven national leaders and first ladies.

In July of 2007, my paper tearing artwork titled "Rogge" won the bronze in the third "People's Olympics -- Chinese Gifts and Souvenirs Design Competition." The four judges, Chang Shana, Huo Ke, Tang Kemei and Zhang Chang were quite satisfied with my work. "With the paper tearing technique, this work accurately expresses the image of Mr. Rogge. Great composition, exact shape, proper handling of spaces and reasonable dealing with black and white—this work feasibly utilizes traditional skills and the paper material," they commented.

On April 10, 2008, Mrs. Rogge came to visit my art studio. Upon entering the room and seeing her husband's face through paper tearing art on display on the wall right in front of her, she excitedly spelled out its caption in Chinese: "Luo Ge (Rogge)," and kept saying: "Great, really great!"

The most satisfying thing about creating portrait artwork is that the work is acknowledged by others. Receiving Mrs. Rogge's praise made me very proud. When I expressed my willingness to give the work to the Rogge family as a gift, Mrs. Rogge was quite excited. "Thank you so much," she exclaimed repeatedly while taking hold of her husband's face by the frame.

In July of 2008, my piece "Rogge" won the silver prize in the third China Sports Handicrafts Design Competition, and the one titled "Olympic Father Juan Antonio Samaranch" won bronze. When I stood on the honored podium with my heart full of pride, images of the smiling face of Mrs. Rogge came to mind.

I sincerely hope that Chinese folk art can be better recognized and understood by friends from home and abroad. It is my wish that everyone know the expectations that the Chinese people have for the successful hosting of the Olympic Games.