Personal Profile

Jin Haiqing (靳海清), male, of Han ethnicity, was born in 1922 and resides at No. 63 Ximen, Dianzhong Town (甸中镇), Eshan County (峨山县), Yuxi City (玉溪市). From a young age, he displayed a strong interest in performing arts, always seizing any opportunity to watch, learn, and imitate performances. In 1945, Jin Haiqing helped form the “Wanyou Troupe” (“玩友班”), which performed Dian Opera (滇戏), Lantern and Clamp Opera (灯夹戏), and folk acrobatics at weddings, funerals, and local markets.

Legacy and Contributions

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the “Wanyou Troupe” was disbanded. Jin Haiqing was once subjected to re-education through labor for a year. After his rehabilitation, he seldom participated in performances but was often invited to assist with organizing weddings and funerals.

In 1983, at the invitation of the Dianzhong Cultural Station (甸中文化站), he began designing and crafting props for folk acrobatics for local rural cultural performances. His creatively designed props—such as shells, kingfishers, mules and donkeys, colorful boats, and Huotou Maomao (火头猫猫, a type of mask)—have been showcased in multiple county and regional art performances and festivals, gaining widespread recognition.

Currently, Jin Haiqing serves as the chief designer and creator of folk acrobatic props and performances in Dianzhong Town. His props and shows are beloved by the local community.

Method of Inheritance

Jin Haiqing has passed on the art of folk acrobatics by actively participating in local cultural events and festivals. His designs preserve the essence of traditional crafts while incorporating modern creativity, enriching both the form and content of folk acrobatics in Dianzhong Town. Thanks to his efforts, these traditional performances have continued to shine in regional cultural showcases, playing a vital role in the preservation and development of this folk art.

Features of Jin Haiqing’s Acrobatics Props

1. Combination of Tradition and Innovation

Jin Haiqing’s acrobatic props maintain the core essence of traditional designs while incorporating innovative elements. For example, his creations—such as shells, kingfishers, mules and donkeys, colorful boats, and Huotou Maomao (火头猫猫 masks)—preserve the traditional aesthetics in shape but also include modern craftsmanship and presentation styles. These props have been warmly received at various regional and local cultural events.

2. Diverse Range of Props

Jin Haiqing’s props span a wide variety of types used in traditional acrobatic performances. Each prop features unique characteristics in form, function, and performance context. For example:

• Shells: Exquisitely designed and brightly colored, commonly used for decorative purposes in performances.
• Kingfishers: Lifelike with vibrant feather colors, enhancing the visual appeal.
• Mules and Donkeys: Finely crafted with well-proportioned dimensions, often used in riding skits.
• Colorful Boats: Uniquely shaped and ornately decorated, suitable for both land and water performances.
• Huotou Maomao Masks: Exaggerated designs and strong color contrasts provide a striking visual impact.

3. Exquisite Craftsmanship

Jin Haiqing is known for his meticulous attention to detail in the making of his props. He emphasizes not only the overall appearance but also material selection, crafting techniques, and decorative details. For instance, his shell props are not only realistic in shape but also finely carved and painted, adding a sense of realism and artistry to the performances.

4. Cultural Symbolism

Beyond aesthetics and functionality, Jin Haiqing’s props are rich in cultural meaning. They reflect the unique cultural characteristics and folk customs of the Yi ethnic group (彝族) in the local area. For example, the Huotou Maomao mask draws inspiration from traditional Yi beliefs and folk legends, embodying deep symbolic significance.

5. Broad Social Impact

His props and performances have appeared frequently in regional and county-level cultural festivals and celebrations, earning widespread popularity among the public. Jin Haiqing’s designs have elevated the artistic quality of acrobatic shows and played an important role in preserving and promoting Yi ethnic culture (彝族文化).

Through these distinctive features, Jin Haiqing has not only inherited the traditional craftsmanship of folk acrobatics props but also revitalized the art form in contemporary society, making it an integral part of cultural heritage in Dianzhong Town (甸中镇), Eshan County (峨山县).

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-2620.html

Personal Background

Su Wenying (苏文英), female, of Han ethnicity, was born in 1918 in Hexi Town (河西镇), Tonghai County (通海县), as the eighth child in a poor family. From an early age, she learned embroidery from her sister-in-law and began practicing at the age of six. At thirteen, she entered an arranged marriage and moved to her husband’s home in Huaning (华宁).

After marriage, she supported her family through small business activities and took on the responsibility of making clothing for more than ten family members. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, as small business opportunities dwindled, she began working for labor points during the day and doing embroidery at night—making door curtains, pillowcases, quilt covers, and embroidered shoes to help support the household.

Her embroidery skills gradually became well-known in the surrounding areas, and more and more people came to her for commissions. Through perseverance, she raised four children. Now in her eighties, she still uses fabric scraps to create small handcrafted items, including cloth figurines for rituals and pig-head, tiger-head, and rabbit-shaped shoes for children. She remains a respected local expert in both embroidery and cloth art.

Embroidery Techniques and Characteristics

Inheritance of Traditional Skills

Su Wenying’s embroidery retains the essence of traditional craftsmanship. Her needlework is delicate, the patterns intricate, and the colors vibrant, all showcasing strong ethnic characteristics and everyday life themes.

Practicality and Aesthetic Beauty

Her creations are not only beautiful but also practical. Items such as door curtains, pillowcases, quilt covers, and embroidered shoes are widely loved by local residents for their utility and visual appeal.

Innovation and Personal Style

Building upon tradition, Su Wenying incorporates her own creativity and personalized designs. For example, her ritual cloth figurines and children’s animal-shaped shoes (pig-head, tiger-head, rabbit shoes) are vivid in form and rich in color, expressing her unique artistic flair.

Social and Cultural Influence

Su Wenying’s embroidery skills have not only earned her the praise of local communities but also significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of embroidery culture in Huaning County (华宁县). Her techniques and works serve as an important cultural representation of Ningzhou Town (宁洲镇), inspiring others and enhancing cultural awareness.

Through her dedication, Su Wenying has passed down the traditional embroidery techniques of the Huaning area (华宁地区) and brought wider attention and appreciation to this art form.

The Transmission of Embroidery Techniques

Family-Based Inheritance

Su Wenying began learning embroidery from her sister-in-law at a young age, exemplifying the traditional method of passing down skills within the family. She not only mastered the craft herself but also passed it on to the next generation, ensuring its continuation within her family.

Community-Based Transmission

Well-respected in her community, Su Wenying’s embroidery extends beyond her family to serve local residents. She often creates ritual cloth figurines and various types of children’s animal shoes for the villagers, earning their admiration and contributing to the spread of embroidery within the community.

Oral Transmission and Hands-On Teaching

Su Wenying mainly teaches her skills through oral instruction and hands-on demonstration. Drawing from years of experience, she shares her expertise with anyone interested in learning. Although this traditional method is less efficient, it guarantees the authenticity and depth of the craft’s inheritance.

Cultural Activities and Public Showcases

Her works have been showcased in various local cultural performances and celebrations, increasing her visibility and introducing more people to her embroidery artistry. These cultural platforms have helped her skills reach a broader audience.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

As a designated provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Su Wenying’s embroidery skills have attracted support from local governments and cultural departments. Through these heritage protection initiatives, her techniques have been documented and preserved, laying a foundation for future transmission and development.

Through these channels, Su Wenying has not only passed on traditional embroidery but also made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of Ningzhou Town (宁洲镇) in Huaning County (华宁县).

Su Wenying’s Role in Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

Recognized as a Provincial-Level Inheritor

Su Wenying was recognized as a provincial-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage due to her exceptional embroidery skills and her contributions to the preservation of local embroidery culture. This recognition has expanded the platform for her teaching and promotional work.

Skill Documentation and Preservation

As a recognized heritage bearer, her embroidery techniques have been officially documented by cultural authorities. These records include both her personal story and her unique embroidery methods and design characteristics.

Cultural Promotion and Demonstration

Through active participation in cultural events and exhibitions, Su Wenying has shared her embroidery with wider audiences. Her works have been featured in numerous local celebrations and performances, raising her profile and fostering greater appreciation for traditional embroidery.

Community and Family-Based Teaching

Highly esteemed in her community, she continues to serve others through her embroidery. Her ritual items and children’s shoes remain popular, and her craft is widely recognized and transmitted through community channels.

Oral and Experiential Teaching

Her embroidery is primarily taught through oral transmission and practical demonstration, a method that preserves the authenticity and artistry of her craft while instilling deep understanding in her students.

Through these efforts, Su Wenying has ensured the continuity of traditional embroidery while playing a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the embroidery culture of Ningzhou Town (宁洲镇), Huaning County (华宁县).

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-2619.html

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Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Li Shaoying (李绍英), born in 1924, is a renowned folk paper-cut artist from Chisuo Village, Yangjie Town, Xundian County (寻甸县羊街镇迟所村), Kunming, Yunnan. Her passion for art began at a young age, and she was deeply influenced by her teacher, Yang Tiancai (杨天才), during her primary school years. It was under his guidance that she first learned the art of paper-cutting and painting, an artistic tradition prevalent in her local community.

Cultural Influence and Craft Development

During Li’s early years, the region was widely known for its rich tradition of embroidery. Women in her community often embroidered intricate patterns onto items like children’s hats, baby carriers, headbands, shoes, curtains, waistbands, and pillows. These embroidered designs were in high demand across society, providing a cultural backdrop that nurtured Li’s interest in the folk arts, including paper-cutting.

Li initially began by creating simple white embroidery patterns and later started helping her family and friends with their paper-cutting projects. By the age of 20, she was already selling her paper-cut works at local markets, which marked the beginning of her long-standing career in this craft.

Mastery of Paper-cutting Artistry

Li Shaoying’s commitment to paper-cutting remained unwavering throughout her life. As she honed her skills, she became known for her detailed and expressive paper-cut designs. These included traditional motifs such as flowers, animals, and symbolic representations of good fortune.

Li’s expertise in the craft has made her a well-respected figure in her community. She has contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of folk paper-cutting in her region. In addition to her own artistic production, she also passed on her knowledge and techniques to her daughter, ensuring the continuity of the tradition for future generations.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Li Shaoying’s paper-cutting works have had a lasting impact on the folk arts of Xundian County and surrounding areas. Her paper-cut designs are not only beautiful but also embody the cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Yunnan. Through her artistry, she has become an important figure in the local folk art community.

Today, her works continue to inspire others, and her legacy lives on through her daughter, who carries forward the art of paper-cutting. Li’s dedication to the craft ensures that this important aspect of Yunnan’s cultural heritage will continue to thrive.

Original Source in Chinese

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