Art is a form of storytelling. For cultural arts, it tells the story of the endeavour from yesteryear, dating back centuries. An art form that originated in the Heng Hua community in China — paper cutting — is currently facing extinction. However, paper cutting artist Tay Thian Min finds it in him to keep the art alive in the face of modernity.
A glimmer of light in a sunset business
The cultural aspect of art has been practised since ancient times. Often with a story to tell, each art form can unearth the culture and traditions of once upon a time. In China, art is an important element that displays identity and roots, much like a treasure trove that traces back centuries.
The simplicity of an era gave birth to innovation, and amidst the scarcity, tools, equipment and intricate art came into existence. The ancient Chinese art that relies on this scarcity took many forms within the community, many of which remain relevant to this day.
One such art — the Chinese paper cutting art — remains a tradition upheld by the Chinese, even after migrating to foreign lands. Traditionally used as decorations adorning doors, walls, or windows, this artform can be seen in the different Chinese characters that often symbolise auspicious meanings. Apart from that, paper cutting art can also exist in the form of a picture that depicts a story.
Back then, paper cutting art played an integral part within Chinese society, especially during festive seasons like the lunar new year, weddings and childbirth. Though nowadays paper cutting art continues to be an important element at festivities, modernity seeped in and changed the authenticity that once held.
Tools and passion
When he first reached the shores of Sarawak, a young Tay Thian Min held onto his passion for paper cutting art. Tay, who hails from Putian city in the Fujian province of China, arrived in Kuching in the 1950s when he was 12. Together with his family, they migrated to the new land in search of a greener pasture.
Among the many things that he had brought over were books of patterns that he could cut using a short-tip, elongated scissor. Reminiscing about the days when he was a young boy, Tay shared that he remembered paper cutting as early as four years old.
“Back then, the neighbourhood kids were doing it a lot. And it looked interesting. Initially, I did it for fun. But as I grew older and people found out that I was talented and passionate about this art, many encouraged me to start paper cutting for special occasions.”
Over the years, Tay also held classes for students who were interested in the art. But beginners who want to try their hands at the art must have the correct tools to use. According to the 79-year-old, the most important tool needed was the scissor that he had brought from China. “You cannot use a normal scissor; the cut won’t be the same, and it won’t give the finer detail. That is why whenever I or someone else needed the scissors, I would get my relatives in China to deliver them to me.”
Tay said that these days, it isn’t relevant or necessary to engage a paper cutting artist to cut out auspicious characters. With technological advancement, many opted for machine-cut artwork instead, as it is much more precise, cheap and fast.
“The original artform becomes underappreciated these days. Furthermore, even the production of the scissors has reduced dramatically, to the point of scarcity, as not many metalsmiths produce them anymore. The scissors have to be handmade; otherwise, machine-made scissors are not as great and refined as the hand-crafted ones.”
Nonetheless, Tay remains steadfast in his passion, though he is not as active in the art as he used to be when he was younger. “Not many are interested in doing such an art anymore either. Even among my three sons and my daughter, only my daughter showed interest in paper cutting art and has done many of them since a young age.”
Art of patience
As he speaks, his eyes concentrate on the paper he uses to demonstrate the details of the intricate art. Each curve on the paper patterns was cut differently. Explaining the method, Tay said that for every direction, the technique is different.
“When you cut from the above, you should cut it anti-clockwise. If you are cutting from the paper below, the direction should be clockwise. All these depend on the curve that you want to achieve,” he said.
Though he had a passion for paper cutting since a tender age, Tay conceded that doing this art can be taxing. “Actually, doing this is easy. But first, to do this, one must have patience and interest because, while the small ones are easy to cut, the bigger ones, complete with intricate details, are harder. It takes a lot of time, so patience and perseverance are of the utmost importance.
“Whenever I started a piece, I would cut the paper until my eyes and hands were painful. Looking at the finer details requires much concentration, and at this old age of mine, cutting them can be a laborious task. I usually do it until my body tells me to stop, then I’ll put it aside and take it out again when I have rested enough. That is why a big artwork can sometimes take months to finish.”
A satisfying process
Though it can be tiring, Tay’s passion knows no bounds, as he admits that he still gets excited for the results that follow. Asked how he would feel if he tore the paper off during the cutting process, the septuagenarian expressed that there would definitely be a feeling of disappointment.
“Ta tiok sim tia! (Of course, heart pain!)” he expressed. “But these days, it rarely happens. After years of experience, I just have to remember to always be gentle with the paper. When I first started, I tore a lot of paper off. But what can I do? For the complicated ones that I did, I would keep them because it took me a long time to do, with much effort, so I felt like it’s a waste to throw them away.”
According to Tay, the best part was when he finished an artwork. Tay, who is also a Tai Chi Qigong master, said, “It is like when you pour your heart into something and it manifests into something greater. That feeling is immensely satisfying. When I hold onto the finished artwork, I feel accomplished!”
Up to date, he has countless paper cuttings kept in his collections, as well as those given to others as memorabilia. Understanding that this art will someday be just a memory beneath the modernity of today, Tay kept his passion for paper cutting alive. To him, carrying on a tradition from the past will serve as a reminder of what happened before.
