On the Material Properties and Artistic Expression of Paper: A Case Study of Chinese Artists’ Creations

Abstract

As one of the most significant inventions in ancient China, paper not only serves as a vehicle for Chinese history and culture but also embodies the artistic spirit of Chinese civilization. For millennia, the Chinese people have created a vast array of paper-related artistic works. This paper analyzes the artistic properties of paper through three dimensions: natural characteristics, psychological characteristics, and cultural characteristics. Building upon these distinctive properties, this study categorizes the works into four typological groups: painting and calligraphy, paper-cutting and paper-carving, paper sculpture and paper installations, and book art. Through case studies of Chinese artists' creative practices, the paper analyzes the formal approaches, technical methods, and conceptual frameworks of paper in both traditional and contemporary artistic creation.