"Five-Star" Story: Yin Lingling, Inheritor of Paper-Cutting Skills, Speaks of Dedication and Craftsmanship

Yin Lingling, born in October 1981, is a graduate with an associate degree from Daying Village, Cixian County. She is an inheritor of Cixian paper-cutting skills, a member of the China Folk Literature and Art Association, a member of the Hebei Folk Literature and Art Association, and a director of the Cixian Federation of Literary and Art Circles' Fine Arts Committee.

Yin Lingling has been deeply influenced by her family's love for folk art since childhood. At the age of 9, she began learning Cixian paper-cutting from her grandmother, embarking on a journey of craftsmanship that values continuous improvement and dedication. She believes in the philosophy of "there is no best, only better" and strives for excellence despite the hard work and solitude involved.

In addition to learning from veteran paper-cutting artists in Cixian, Yin Lingling also studied sketching, figure drawing, character modeling, and New Year paintings under the guidance of local painter Zu Cuilin. This systematic training enhanced her artistic foundation and improved her paper-cutting skills.

Yin Lingling is committed to expanding her knowledge and skills. In June 2019, she attended the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Paper-Cutting Advanced Studies Program at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts. In July 2020, she successfully completed the "New Member Online Special Class" organized by the China Folk Literature and Art Association. In 2021, she participated in the "Beijing Traditional Folk Toys Inheritance Talent" program at Tsinghua University's Academy of Arts and Design, completing the required courses.

Yin Lingling has extensively studied various paper-cutting styles and techniques from different regions. She has innovated traditional Cixian paper-cutting to better fit modern themes, aesthetic standards, and market demands. Her works not only preserve the essence of traditional art but also introduce contemporary elements, making them relevant and appealing to a broader audience.

Yin Lingling has actively promoted paper-cutting through various educational activities. She has conducted "Paper-Cutting in the Classroom" programs in primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and communities in Handan. In Cixian, she has organized free summer "Paper-Cutting Sentiments, Lotus Heart" family and parent-child paper-cutting training sessions for students, teachers, and rural women.

In July 2021, she donated her work "The New Yu Gong, Li Baoguo" to the Hebei Agricultural University Museum, where it was accepted by Li Baoguo's son. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, she led students and teachers in creating paper-cutting works themed around the Party's history, organizing a public welfare activity titled "Children's Hearts Praise the Party's Grace, Forever Follow the Party." In September, she conducted a "Non-Material Cultural Heritage Paper-Cutting Welcomes National Day" event at Fucai Middle School. During the "Non-Material Cultural Heritage Paper-Cutting Talks about the Double Ninth Festival" event organized by the Cixian Women's Federation, elderly people visited her studio and enthusiastically learned paper-cutting, celebrating the festival in a unique way.

Yin Lingling's dedication has been rewarded with numerous accolades. Her works are characterized by clear themes, skilled techniques, and a pure style. In July 2018, her piece "Blessed New Era" won the Special Gold Award at the "National Second Chinese Cup Folk Art Exhibition." In September 2019, "Harmonious Rural Family" received an Excellence Award at the "Paper Agreement in the World, Scissors Praise Mingzhou" National Paper-Cutting Art Exhibition. In January 2019, the same piece was awarded as a third-level collection piece at the "Seventh Chinese Paper-Cutting Art Festival" and was collected by the Chinese Weixian Paper-Cutting Museum.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Yin Lingling joined volunteer efforts to help screen for the virus in the community and donated 1,000 yuan to the Cixian Charity Federation to support epidemic control. She also created several paper-cutting works to promote anti-epidemic heroes, contributing her unique "anti-epidemic strength."

With just a piece of paper, a pair of scissors, and a carving knife, Yin Lingling has created a beautiful life and a successful career. She continues to uphold the spirit of craftsmanship, striving for excellence and innovation. She aims to climb higher and higher in her artistic and personal journey, reaching new peaks.