Pu Youmei – Artisan of Folk Paper-cut in Eshan County, Yuxi 

Life and Background

Pu Youmei (普友妹) is a folk paper-cutting artist from Shuangjiang Town (双江镇), Eshan County (峨山县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). Born in 1929, she is of Yi (彝族) ethnicity and lives in Zhongjie (中街) of Shuangjiang Town. Deeply influenced by the customs and traditions of her Yi community since childhood, she developed a passion for paper-cutting and embroidery. With a humble attitude, she learned diligently from older generations and, over time, not only mastered but innovated upon their techniques.

Artistic Achievements

Pu Youmei’s paper-cutting artworks are known for their exquisite patterns, vibrant colors, and strong ethnic flavor, all deeply rooted in daily life. Her works are well-loved by the local community. In 1986, her art was featured in Ethnic Pictorial (《民族画报》), and in 1995, she was awarded an Excellence Prize at the Chinese Rural Women’s Art and Book Exhibition (《中国农村巾帼图书画展》).

She also creates and sells Yi-style (彝族) decorative items that combine paper-cutting with embroidery. Her entrepreneurial spirit has inspired local women to participate, thus increasing their household income and spreading the craft more broadly.

Cultural Influence

As a provincial-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, Pu Youmei’s skills and artworks hold significant influence both locally and beyond. Through her dedication, she has not only preserved the art of Yi paper-cutting but also contributed to the region’s cultural development and economic prosperity.

Characteristics of Pu Youmei’s Paper-Cutting Art

Strong Ethnic Identity

Pu Youmei’s artworks are rich in Yi (彝族) cultural elements, using patterns such as tiger tooth flowers (虎牙花), gourd flowers (葫芦花), flame motifs (火焰花), and peonies (牡丹花). These designs are both aesthetically pleasing and symbolic, representing the Yi people’s reverence for nature and aspirations for a better life.

Full Composition and Solid Styling

Her compositions are full and robust, with a strong sense of structure and layering. This gives her works a grounded and majestic appearance that reflects the traditional style of Yi paper-cutting.

Smooth Lines and Superb Skills

Pu Youmei’s works are marked by smooth, natural lines and exceptional craftsmanship. Whether crafting complex patterns or simple shapes, she handles each piece with precision, showcasing her masterful skill.

Vibrant Colors and Lively Themes

The vivid colors in her works bring out the vibrancy of everyday Yi life. She skillfully uses bright hues to illustrate daily scenes and cultural expressions that reflect the Yi people’s colorful lifestyle and desire for happiness.

Fusion of Art and Utility

Her paper-cuttings are not only artistically valuable but also practical. Many are used as embroidery templates for Yi clothing, enhancing the charm and distinctiveness of traditional dress.

Integrating Yi Culture into Paper-Cutting

Cultural Patterns and Symbolism

Pu Youmei’s works heavily feature traditional Yi symbols such as flame and tiger-tooth patterns. These motifs represent cultural beliefs—flames symbolize fire worship, and tiger teeth reflect totemic tiger reverence. Through these elements, her art becomes a vessel of Yi cultural identity, values, and faith.

Inheritance and Innovation

Building on the techniques of her predecessors, Pu Youmei continues to innovate. Her works maintain traditional aesthetics while introducing new forms and combinations. Her integration of embroidery and paper-cutting also engages local women in the process, fostering collective learning and economic empowerment.

Blending Art with Daily Life

Her paper-cuttings are deeply embedded in everyday Yi culture. By serving as templates for traditional clothing, the art is interwoven into daily use, making it both functional and beautiful, and reinforcing its role in cultural continuity.

Social and Cultural Impact

Pu Youmei’s work gained national attention when Ethnic Pictorial praised her creations as “flowers ready to bloom, birds about to fly.” Her awards and exhibitions have elevated not just her personal reputation but also the visibility of Yi paper-cutting, sparking broader appreciation and development of the art form.

Through her unique approach, Pu Youmei has woven Yi (彝族) culture into her paper-cutting art and passed it on through both traditional inheritance and creative innovation. Her works serve not only as a representation of Yi heritage but also as a reflection of the community’s collective wisdom and aesthetic values.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-2622.html