A Study on the Inheritance and Modernization of Ku Sulan’s Paper-cutting Art -Focusing on Female-Themed Images-

This study focuses on the works of Ku Shulan (库淑兰), a female paper-cutting artist from Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, China, and examines the visual characteristics of traditional paper-cutting art as well as the inheritance and modernization of female-themed expressions. Paper-cutting is a representative form of folk art that reflects the life, beliefs, and values of the people, and has been mainly created and transmitted by women as a medium that visually conveys female emotions and experiences. Based on the northern style of paper-cutting, Ku Shulan employed intense colors, symmetrical composition, and symbolic motifs, while combining themes of women’s lives, folk narratives, and mythological elements to construct a distinctive artistic world, which underscores the significance of this research. The aim of this study is to present the structural continuity and creative development of Ku Shulan’s paper-cutting art and to establish a theoretical foundation for the modern reinterpretation of traditional women’s folk art. To achieve this, a literature review, analysis of visual elements such as color, composition, motifs, and techniques, and case studies of contemporary works were conducted. A comparative analysis between Ku Shulan’s works and those of modern female paper-cutting artists influenced by her—Li Wenxia, Chen Fenwan, and Shi Qiwang—reveals that contemporary cases expand the expressive scope of paper-cutting by incorporating modern elements such as digital technology and installation media. The results demonstrate that Ku Shulan’s art functions as a symbolic medium linking tradition and modernity, folk culture and artistry, while possessing high artistic value. In particular, it highlights the potential for the modern transformation of female-themed paper-cutting art. This study is expected to serve as a basic reference for the contemporary succession of paper-cutting and for experimental attempts that combine modern aesthetics with female perspectives beyond traditional frameworks.